1-s 



CASSELL'S POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY. 



u I ili- quickness : wh.-n irritated, it erects its mane, like the hy;ena. Its food consists of carrion and 

 small animals, not excluding ants, which were found by Span-man in the stomach of one he killed. 

 Of another genus,* formed by Cuvier, a well-known animal now to be considered, is 



THE COMMON BAUGER.f 



THIS animal was clawed by Linnaeus and other naturalists with the bear. It belongs, like that 

 creature, to tin 1 class of plantigrade animals, the forumtio i of the extremities compelling it to rest upon 



the whole sole of the foot in standing or 

 walking ; but it is separated from the bear 

 by its dental formation. This is adapted 

 for masticating vegetable substances, and 

 when in confinement it shows a marked 

 preference for this kind of food. In its 

 natural state it lives chiefly upon roots, 

 fruits, insects, and frogs ; and it is likewise 

 destructive to the eggs and young of phea- 

 sants, partridges, and other birds, whieh 

 build their nests on the ground. Occasion- 

 ally it attacks the nest of the wild bee, plun- 

 dering the store of honey without dread of 

 the sting of the bee, which cannot penetrate 

 the thick skin of the badger, even if the 

 long hair of the animal were not sufficient 



TKKTH OK THE BADGER. 



protection. 



The Badger is about the size of a middling dog, but its body being broader and flatter, and 

 supported by short legs, it stands much lower than a dog. Its external characteristics are head long 

 and pointed, ears almost concealed in the hair of the head, and the tail so short that it scarcely reaches 

 to the middle of the hind legs, the hair trailing along the ground on each side as the animal moves ; 

 colour a sandy gray, yellow towards the roots, bluish browii in the middle, and of a deeper yellow at 

 the tips, which mixture of deep brown and pale yellow combined, gives a gi-ay appearance to the colour 

 of the badger; and in many parts of the country it is called "the gray." Indeed, it bears various 

 names ; one of them, the " brock," is its old Saxon name, which has been applied to it for more than 

 a thousand years. The feet of the badger are furnished with strong claws, and the legs being short 

 and muscular, it naturally makes a subterranean habitation. 



When attempted to be dug out, it. proceeds from one point to another with so much activity, 

 forming behind it a sort of earthen outwork, that the eifort is difficult. The formation of the feet 

 equally well fits it for obtaining roots as food. The badger prefers a sandy or light gravelly soil in 

 which to make its burrow, which has one external entrance, leading into different chambers, and 

 terminating in a circular one at the extremity. This latter is lined comfortably with dry grass and 

 hay, and here it spends the live-long day in repose, moving out only at night in search of food. 



The badger leads a most quiet and solitary life, not being found in company even with the females 

 of its own species. Sleeping all day long, rolled up on its bed of warm hay, appears to agree 

 singularly well with it, as it is always fat. Though invariably choosing the most secret recesses of the 

 woods for its abode, where, if anywhere, it could remain in peace, the badger is a scarce animal. 

 Tin- number of its young is usually from three to five annually at one birth. They are suckled for five 

 or six weeks, and then taught to shift for themselves. 



The numbers of badgers are kept down by various means ; moonlight nights, and when they 

 I'-av.- their burrows for food, affording the best opportunities for pursuing and destroying them. 

 Though harmless, the badger, when attacked, shows great resolution and courage, and is no mean 



M.l.s. 



t Meles vul^aris. 



