MAY. BADGERS. 227 



difficulties she managed to form an immense nest in 

 this singularly chosen and picturesque abode. It is 

 difficult to imagine what could have put it into her 

 head to come into the greenhouse at all, and through 

 so awkward an entrance, surrounded, too, as she was 

 by places far more suitable and easy of access. 



The badgers live a life of great activity now. In 

 this country they are seldom destroyed : at least, 

 there is one large tract of very wild country, the 

 soil of which is sandy and suitable for their digging- 

 propensities, where also they are not often trapped. 

 The badger, when once he has been frightened by, 

 or has escaped from a trap, is not easily caught 

 again ; but displays a cunning and perseverance in 

 eluding all attempts at his capture which he is not 

 generally supposed to possess. 



I seldom declare war against these animals, not 

 considering them very mischievous; but some time 

 ago, wanting one for a friend, I set a strong trap 

 with bait near one of their holes. A large badger 

 got in, but managed to escape before I came to the 

 trap. I set it again ; and the next morning, on 

 going to it, I saw from a distance a number of 

 hooded crows, perched in a tree near the place, in 

 a state of great excitement. On coming up, how- 

 ever, instead of the badger I found an immense gray 

 cat, closely resembling a wild-cat, both in colour 



