BADGER. 55 



they are taken out one night for exercise, and if suitable cover is 

 found in the wood or on the moor among the heather, they may 

 not return, though the vixen remains with them and teaches 

 them hunting until the autumn, when the family party breaks 

 up, each member going his or her own way ; though they will 

 not be fully grown until another year has passed. In fox- 

 hunting countries artificial burrows are constructed in suitable 

 places, of earth and stone, of which the expectant-mother vixen 

 will avail herself. These are furnished in order that the cubs 

 may be dug out with ease when they have reached a proper age 

 for the huntsman's purpose. 



The Fox is credited with resorting to a species of hypnotism 

 to attain his ends. Seeing a party of rabbits feeding, and 

 knowing that they will bolt to their holes on his approach, he 

 starts rolling about at a safe distance to attract their attention ; 

 then like a kitten he will begin chasing his tail, whilst the silly 

 rabbits gaze, spellbound, on the performance. At it the Fox 

 continues without a pause, as though oblivious to the presence 

 of spectators ; but all the time he is contriving to get nearer, 

 until a sudden straightening of his body enables him to grab the 

 nearest rabbit in his jaws. 



The Foxes of the northern hill country are a finer race than 

 those of the southern woodlands. This, of course, is due to the 

 fact that every man's hand is against them, and it is only the 

 individuals of great cunning and superior physique that survive 

 to continue their kind. 



Dental formula : / if, c J, p f , in = 42. 



Badger (Meles taxus, Boddaert). 



In the old forestal days of Britain the Badger, Brock, Bawsen 

 or Grey must have been a common beast. Like the Beaver 

 also a former British beast he has left indelible marks in 

 place-names, such as Brockham, Brockenhurst, Brockley, 



