289 



CHAP. XXIX. 



THE BADGEE. — THE POLECAT. — TIIE MARTEN. 



" Hovr oft -we seek a solitude, 

 Where care (we hope) will ne'er intrude. 

 Alas ! how oft our hopes are vain ; 

 Care drags us to the world again. 

 Just so the badger : shouts of men, 

 The bark of dogs, ring round his den ; 

 In vain to his calm retreat he goes, 

 Forth he is dragg'd by slaught'riug foes." — J. Pitm^vn. 



The badger has suffered more, perhaps, from vulgar 

 prejudices than any other animah He has been accused 

 of destroying lambs and rabbits : the first unquestion- 

 ably without foundation, and it is uncertain whether the 

 last charge be better svipported, for many naturalists 

 maintain that his sole food consists of roots, fruits, grass, 

 insects, and frogs. But my gamekeeper assured me 

 that he sucked the eggs of pheasants and partridges, 

 having found the impression of his feet near where the 

 shells wer^ lying. This I think likely enough. 



The badger is found in many parts of England, 



Scotland, and other European countries. Its favourite 



haunts are the deepest recesses of woods, and the thick 



coppices covering the sides of hills. The badger is two 



u 



