THE ZOOLOGIST. 



But, in regard to our English word " Badger," may it not be a 

 corruption from the French becheur, a digger, from becher, to dig. 

 Our language is full of such corruptions from the French (e.g., 

 cray-fish, from ecrevisse), and our knowledge of the animal's habits 

 renders the suggestion sufficiently plausible. 



It is perhaps hardly necessary to trace in detail the present 

 distribution of the Badger in the British Islands, or mention the 

 name of every locality in England where it is still known to exist, 

 but it may be of interest to note that the pages of this journal in 

 different years contain evidence of its occurrence in the following 

 counties: — Berkshire, 1867, p. 631; 1879, p. 263. Cambridge, 

 1868, p. 1176. Cumberland, 1867, p. 822. Cornwall, 1864, p. 9219 ; 

 1882, p. 66. Essex, 1882, p. 303. Hampshire, 1880, p. 252. Kent, 

 1867, p. 787. Leicestershire, 1884, p. 271; 1885, p. 167. Lincoln- 

 shire, 1868, p. 1129. Norfolk, 1864,p. 9016; 1871, p.2753. Oxford- 

 shire, 1882, p. 146. Shropshire, 1864, p. 9219. Somersetshire, 

 1870, p. 2017. Suffolk, 1869, p. 1926; 1881, p. 461. Surrey, 

 1877, p. 251. Warwickshire, 1864, p. 9218. Yorkshire, 1880, 

 p. 251; 1884, pp. 63 and 174. 



From other sources of information we learn that it occurs in 

 Derbyshire (Melland, 'The Field,' Jan. 24th, 1880); Devon 

 (Bellamy, Kowe, and D'Urban) ; Dorset (Mitford) ; Durham 

 (Tristram, and Backhouse) ; Glamorgan (Dillwyn) ; Gloucester 

 (Bell); Isle of Wight (More) ; Lancashire (' Naturalist,' 1884-5, 

 p. 128, and 1886, p. 36) ; Middlesex (Harting) ; Northumberland 

 (Meynell & Perkins, and Cordeaux) ; Staffordshire (Garner, 

 and Masefield) ; Wiltshire (Harting) ; and Worcestershire (Dr. 

 Hastings). 



With regai-d to Scotland, Mr. Harvie Brown's excellent account 

 of its distribution there (' Zoologist,' 1882, pp. 1 — 9 and 41 — 45) 

 leaves little or nothing to be desired. He states that it occurs 

 generally throughout the mainland of Scotland, but does not 

 appear to be indigenous to any of the islands, though it has been 

 introduced into Jura, and upon Ailsa Craig. 



In Ireland, according to Thompson, the Badger still maintains 

 its ground, " perhaps in every county " (Nat. Hist. Ireland, vol. iv.). 



One of the best accounts published of the habits of this 

 animal is that given by Charles St. John, in his ' Wild Sports 

 and Natural History of the Highlands.' It is full of interesting 

 facts derived, in a great measure, from personal observation, and 



