THE BADGER 



habitation, amongst the whin bushes, or in 

 the woods near a stream or small runner of 

 water. Such a "set," if long established, 

 will penetrate through earth, clay, and sub- 

 soil, to some stratum of shale, or sand, or 

 loose rock. Some of the galleries and 

 chambers will be at a great distance from 

 the surface, and some at an enormous depth. 

 When a new earth is made I have always 

 found the badger appropriate the holes of 

 rabbits, and proceed to excavate, enlarge, 

 and open them out. This operation of open- 

 ing a new earth takes place constantly in 

 the spring-time, great masses of material be- 

 ing thrown out ; but as often as not the new 

 house is abandoned before completed, and the 

 subsequent labours of the family are devoted 

 to repairing, enlarging, and ' making new 

 front or back doors to the old place. In 

 Cornwall I once tried my hand with my 

 brother, some strong Cornishmen, and a 

 team of terriers, at a very innocent-looking 

 badgfer " set " situated in a level field. There 

 were but three holes, and these not very far 

 apart. The farmer told us that there had 



45 



