34 Practical Game Preserving. 



grass, cleverly rolled up into balls, which are deposited in a 

 sort of larder situated in a small side chamber; while all 

 offensive substances, with the remains of food, are provided 

 with a certain kind of sink, sunk in the floor of the earth, for 

 their reception. 



The young of the badger can be easily tamed, and become 

 very docile and interesting pets, soon learning to distinguish 

 their master, while the old ones are quite susceptible of 

 human influence, and can be also tamed by the exercise of 

 some trouble and patience. That the badger is a stupid 

 animal is a popular idea, but, nevertheless, a mistaken one ; 

 and although having far too much trust in the kindliness of 

 human nature, is quite capable of taking ample care of itself 

 when its suspicions are once aroused. The offensive smell 

 which has no doubt obtained for the badger the name of 

 " stinking brock " is caused by the secretion of an odorous 

 substance beneath the tail (as in all the weasels), which is 

 in this case exceedingly offensive. 



The modes of capturing badgers are not very varied ; the 

 means mostly adopted often offer some sport and can very 

 well be enjoyed. The chief requisites are one or two 

 couples of good dogs, well up to their work, silent and 

 steady whilst about it, and half a dozen or so of strong sacks 

 or bags. The mode of procedure is as follows : Having 

 discovered a frequented brock's earth and obtained the 

 various necessaries, a couple of persons should start off 

 one evening about eleven o'clock when there is a moon 

 is preferable and make direct for the earth ; arrived at 

 which, and having found the badger to be out seeking 

 his food, they should fix in each of the holes a bag, 



