LOVERS OF THE CHASE AND OTHERS 79 



short and muscular neck which enables the animal to exert great 

 force in both burrowing and rummaging operations. 



The Common Badger and the Sand Badger (Fig. 64) cannot be 

 included specifically as lovers of the chase, coming under the 

 heading of "some others." The former is very largely an energetic 

 vermin-hunter, and, such being the case, it should be protected. 

 It cannot be said that man is in any way adversely affected by this 

 interesting underground dweller, and it is to be hoped that it will 

 remain a member of our British fauna for many years to come. 



During the Summer Brock pursues a busy life, for, although it 

 rests in the heat of the day, at nightfall it undertakes protracted 

 wanderings in search of food, and when the first chill days of 

 Autumn arrive its body is well nourished and very fat. So much 

 so, indeed, that Brock retires from business, as it were, the fat 

 accumulated enabling the beast to exist through its long Winter fast. 

 It does not resort to fasting in real earnest until King Frost rules 

 the land with his ice-bound grip, living meanwhile on such things 

 as turnips and other vegetables which it has put by for hard times. 



The outer coat not proving sufficiently impervious to the cold, the 

 inner layer of fat beneath the skin protects the body like warm 

 underclothing, and then, when Winter has arrived with all its 

 severity. Brock rolls itself up, "in order to offer the least possible 

 cooling surface to the air, and falls into a deep sleep." Thus it 

 remains until signs of Spring awaken the land from slumber, but 

 it is only a temporary resurrection, for, after having a drink at the 

 nearest spring, the animal returns again to its citadel and once more 

 goes to sleep. The next time it awakes to find bird and beast making 

 joyous at the triumphant uprising of all things that live out of doors, 

 and who share with ourselves the beneficence of the sunshine and 

 the glorious breathing of the air. 



The Badger is an inhabitant of the whole of Europe and 

 Northern Asia, and in England it is interesting to notice the names 

 of places which are indelibly associated with it. In olden time it 

 was called Brock, and thus we have Brockenhurst, Brockley, 

 Brockett, etc. 



The cubs usually number three or four, and these are born 

 during the Summer. They are blind, and do not open their eyes 

 until they are about ten days old. When taken young it is said 

 that the cub makes a desirable pet, being easily tamed. 



When the cubs are able to take care of themselves and leave 



