CHAPTER VIII 



WILD ANIMALS WORTH STALKING 



I. THE BADGER 



This is the largest truly wild carnivorous animal 

 we have in Great Britain, and one which through 

 long ages seems to have been well able to hold 

 his own against the persecution of man, for he is 

 found in nearly every county in England, and is 

 probably as numerous now as he was one hundred 

 years ago. It is doubtful if Badgers were ever 

 found in big numbers anywhere, although if left to 

 breed where the soil is suitable for burrowing they 

 form into small colonies, some of which have been 

 known to number as many as eight adult animals, 

 but, as a general rule, they are found in pairs. 

 Where they live in colonies each pair occupies a 

 separate chamber. 



Badgers pair off when about nine months old 

 and remain together as long as they both live. 

 This is rather singular, for most animals and birds 

 that pair dissolve partnership after the breeding 

 season is over, and, even if both survive, the 

 chances are that the next breeding season the pairs 

 are not the same. With Badgers this is not so. 



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