THE BADGER 61 



tended to him that the fox has, he would not be so rare 

 an animal as he is now. Why should he be so worried 

 by dogs ? It is to he hoped that badger-drawing 

 has nearly had its day. This very practice, brutal as 

 it is, testifies to his determined courage and fighting 

 qualities ; you could not find a more determined 

 antagonist than he is when on his mettle. 



With regard to his food, the greater part of it 

 consists of such small deer as may fall in his way, 

 when he wanders here and there in the evening after 

 leaving the hole where he has lain dormant all the 

 day. That long snout of his will poke and root out 

 all manner of things, from a wild bees' nest to a 

 field-mouse. He will eat young rabbits when he can 

 get them, and old ones do not come amiss to him 

 when the chance offers. A sporting character I knew 

 once, procured a fine badger for the express purpose 

 of having him baited by all the fancy dogs in his 

 locality. Amongst other creatures he kept rabbits, 

 and his particular fancy was to have the very best of 

 the lop-eared variety that could be procured. One 

 doe he valued most highly, because, setting aside her 

 own qualities, she had a fine lot of young ones, well- 

 grown, and as beautiful as herself. 



The badger had only been caught the same 

 evening on which it was brought to this individual. 



