ANlilAI.S. 527 



sion of that which has been quitted by the badger; and, some 

 say, forces it from its retreat, by laying its excrement at the 

 .Tiouth of the badger's hole. 



This animal, however, is not long in making itself a new habi- 

 tation, from which it seldom ventures far, as it flies but slowly, 

 and can find safety only in the strength of its retreat. When it 

 is surprised by the dogs at some distance from its hole, it then 

 combats with desperate resolution ; it falls upon its back, de- 

 fends itself on every side, and seldom dies unrevenged in the 

 midst of its enemies. 



The badger, like the fox, is a carnivorous animal, and nothing 

 that has life can come amiss to it.* It sleeps the greatest part 

 of its time, and thus, without being a voracious feeder, it still 

 keeps fat, particularly in winter. They always keep their hole 

 very clean ; and when the female brings forth, she makes a com. 

 fortable warm bed of hay, at the bottom of her hole, for the re- 

 ception of her young. She brings forth in summer, generally to 

 the number of three or four, which she feeds at first with her 

 milk, and afterwards with such petty prey as she can surprise. 

 She seizes the young rabbits in their warren, robs birds' nests, 

 finds out where the wild bees have laid up their honey, and brings 

 all to her expecting brood. 



The young ones when taken are easily tamed, but the old still 

 continue savage and incorrigible ; the former, after a short time, 

 play with the dogs, follow their master about the house, but 

 seem of all other animals the most fond of the fire. They often 

 approach it so closely, that they burn themselves in a dangerous 

 manner. They are sometimes also subject to the mange j and 

 have a gland under their tail which scents pretty strongly. The 

 poor of some countries eat their flesh ; which though fat is at 

 best but rank and ill-tasted. f 



• The badger's principal food is roots, fruits, snails, and worms. It seema 

 quite a mistalie, their liiing on animal food. 



t Tlie spotted badger is of a wldte colour, marked with reddish, yellow, 

 and dusky spots. It inhabits Europe and the north of Asia, as far as tlia 

 uorthern provinces of Persia and China, and in Japan. The white badger 

 is said by Mr Erissou to ha^'e lieon brought from New Yorlv ; it has very 

 small eyes, and very short legs, and is only one foot nine inches long, with 

 a tail of nine inches. This variety or species, is supposed by Mr Bewick to 

 ■■he the same animal Math the land bear. The spotted variety is very rare, 

 uor is It mentioned from what country it was brouglit. 



The American badger iuliabits Lauradoro, and the country about HuJ. 



