84 CARNIVORES. 



which have been enlarged by the badger in order to capture the original excavator. 

 This abundance of the American badger is doubtless largely due to its immunity 

 from foes and the plentiful supply of food. 



In addition to the various species of Rodents, which form its principal food, 

 the American badger will also eat smaller animals, even insects and snails, while 

 it is also partial to birds' eggs and to bees' nests with their honey and larvae. In 

 disposition it is shy and retiring, always seeking to avoid rather than to court 

 danger. If brought to bay, it will fight with all the fierceness and stubbornness 

 characteristic of its European cousin, and it also exhibits the same tenacity of life. 

 In some parts of the Western States badger-baiting used to be as favourite a sport 

 as it once was in our own country, but it is now discontinued. 



But little appears to have been ascertained as to the breeding habits of the 

 American badger, but it seems that three or four is the usual number in a litter. 

 In British North America the period of hibernation lasts from October till April, 

 and the animals are said to come forth after their long fast in good condition. 



American badger fur is of some value, and is at times largely 

 used for robes, muffs, tippets, and trimmings ; while a considerable 

 quantity of the long hairs are employed in the manufacture of shaving and other 

 brushes, although in many cases the hairs are too soft for this purpose. In 1873 

 the prices of American badger skins varied from one to seven shillings each in 

 London ; while three years later the price per skin for the best samples in New 

 York was one dollar. At the present time, according to Mr. Poland, the price in 

 London varies from six to twenty-two shillings. 



THE COMMON BADGER. 

 Genus Meles. 



The common badger (Meles taxus) is the best known member of a group 

 of five closely -allied species distributed over a considerable portion of Europe 

 and Asia, although unknown in the Indian and Malayan regions. All these 



SKELETON OF THE COMMON BADGER. 



animals are readily distinguished from the American badger by the characters 

 of the skull and teeth. The skull itself is characterised by the great height 

 of the bony ridge running along the middle of the brain-case, and afford- 

 ing attachment for the powerful muscles which render the badger's bite so 



