CASSKLL'S POPULAR NATURAL IIISTOUV. 



:in- merely enlargements of the burrows of the Acetorni/x Ilnoilil and lti<-li,<r<lxtniii, which the badgers 

 di" uii and prey upon. Whilst the ground is covered with snow, the badger rarely or never comes 

 from its hole; :uid it is supposed that in that climate it passes the winter, from the beginning of 

 November to April, in a torpid state. Indeed, as it obtains the small animals on which it feeds by 



surprising them in their burrows, it has little 

 chance of digging them out, at a time when the 

 ground is frozen into a solid rock. 



Like the bears, the badgers do not lose much 

 flesh during their long hybcrnation, for, on coming 



TKKTll (IF AMKK1CAN BADGER. 



BADGEU OF JAPAN. 



abroad in the spring, they are observed to be very fat. As they pair, however, at that season, they 

 soon become lean. The badger is a slow and timid animal, taking to the first loose earth it meets with 

 when pursued ; and, as it makes its way through the sandy soil with the rapidity of a mole, it soon 

 places itself out of the reach of danger. 



THE AMERICAN BADGER. 



'Ph.- strength of its fore feet and claws is so great, that one which had insinuated only its head 

 and shoulders into a hole, resisted the utmost efforts of two stout young men, who endeavoured to 

 Img it .nit by the legs and tail, until one of them tired the contents of his fowling-piece into its body. 

 KMI-IV ni the sprin.,', h"wi-\er, when they first begin to stir abroad, they may lie easily caught by pour- 

 iu- water int., their hoh-s ; for the ground being frozen at that period, the water does not escape 

 through the sand, but soon fills the hole, and its tenant is obliged to come out. 



