XV 



BADGER 



HE Badger is the largest of the indigenous Carni- 

 vora to be found in these islands, and a beautiful 

 creature it is, too. I have always been sorry that 

 it is so scarce, for there are many spots where 

 Badgers might live and thrive and do practically 

 no harm. If I ever had the good fortune to own an estate, it 

 would be different from the majority of such places, for nearly 

 every species of wild bird would be strictly protected, and such 

 interesting mammals as the Badger would be introduced and 

 allowed a free hand to do as they liked. The food of this 

 animal is varied, and all kinds of fruits, eggs, small birds, mam- 

 mals, roots, and insects are eagerly sought after, and the hunting 

 usually takes place in the night. 



The Badger might be called the Bear of Great Britain, for 

 in its habits it somewhat resembles the larger animal, and, like 

 the latter, is fond of honey, and even the Bees themselves. Raids 

 are often made on Wasps' nests, the comb is dug out of the 

 earth with their powerful claws and the grubs devoured, and I 

 have heard of a case where one pair of Badgers dug up and 

 devoured seven Wasps' nests in one field. It must certainly be 

 an exceedingly interesting sight to watch this animal unconcernedly 

 feeding off the comb, while the vicious, angry insects are dashing 

 madly around him ! 



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