THE BADGER. 165 



old badger, living thus, will convert a chosen 

 patch of land into a veritable warren in a single 

 night, but by the time the warren is located 

 he has betaken himself to the next valley. Thus 

 the would-be badger student, after watching an 

 abandoned prospect shaft for two or three con- 

 secutive nights, is apt to become somewhat dis- 

 heartened, and finally turns to a more fruitful 

 field for his activities. 



THE WARREN. 



The badger-warrens I have studied were all 

 models of system and cleanliness. The animals 

 never occupy the same warren for more than two 

 or three months at a spell ; it is then completely 

 forsaken for a corresponding period, and thus 

 given a chance thoroughly to sweeten, the colony 

 removing itself in the interim to another country 

 residence, probably not more than a mile distant. 

 In the meantime their old residence is taken over 

 by rabbits. As regards the numerous stories one 

 hears about Brock as a rabbit-killer, I can only 

 say that I know of numerous warrens in which 

 rabbits and badgers share the tenancy. Generally 

 the rabbits occupy one end, while the badgers 

 inhabit the other, but all the holes are intercon- 

 nected, and the little community appears to dwell 

 in an atmosphere of perfect goodwill. 



The badger is a slow-footed animal, and though 

 perhaps he would possess few scruples if the oppor- 

 tunity of dining off Brer Rabbit occurred, it is 

 not worth his while to hunt his active neighbour 

 when there is so much other food ready to hand. 



Badgers are a good deal troubled with neighbours 

 of a more personal and intimate character, and 

 the cleanliness they exercise in their home-life 



