THE BADGER 137 



the Winter months, but such is not the case, at 

 any rate in England, although he is no doubt less 

 active during the cold months and capable of 

 doing without food for a long time. I have often 

 known him to remain in his earth during snow or 

 severe weather for a fortnight at a time, but as 

 soon as the weather became mild he would be out 

 and about his business as usual. As proof of the 

 long period he can do without food, a few years 

 ago a keeper I know was engaged in digging out a 

 very big earth supposed to have been inhabited 

 by mangy Foxes. Before starting to dig a Terrier 

 dog was put in, and Badgers were found to be in 

 possession. This earth was very deep and in a 

 bed of chalk. After digging for over three weeks 

 an old pair of Badgers were taken out, the boar 

 weighing thirty-two pounds and the sow twenty- 

 five pounds. Both were in splendid condition, 

 although they had never been allowed to get out 

 from the time the digging was started, and this 

 was during February, and clearly shows they are 

 capable of doing without food for a long period at 

 that time of year. 



We hear of various means of capture, some of 

 which, to say the least, are only imaginary, for no 

 animal is better able to take care of himself than 

 the Badger. I have heard of a sack being placed 

 in the mouth of his earth while the animal was out 

 feeding, and then he was located and driven in 



