122 BULLETIN OF WISCONSIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. VOL. 2. NO. 2. 
destroys large numbers of grass-hoppers, injurious beetles, and 
other detrimental insects. 
Taxidea Americana (American Badger.) 
This animal, which figures so conspicuously on our state shield, 
was once common in Dodge County, but at the present day I dare 
venture the assertion that there are not upward of a dozen living 
examples left. The settlement of the country, above all other 
causes, has driven them away, for this is an animal which loves 
solitude. 
During the past 12 years 3 or 4 live ones have been exhibited 
at our county fair, mostly taken in Burnett Township, but I am 
told ihere are none left there now. 
A den was located in that township, some 4 years ago, on Col. 
Lockwood's farm. The Colonel would suffer no one to molest, 
them, but the Colonel left the farm two years ago and I have heard 
no more about the Badgers. 
Several years ago I gave up all hope of securing one from our 
county for my collection. Last fall two young men called on me 
to enquire if I would buy a Badger, if they caught one. I assured 
them I would, never expecting to hear more about it. But on 
Jan. 9th, of this year, one of these boys brought me the Badger, 
caught in a steel trap, which had been set in the mouth of its 
burrow the night before. 
This one, No. 1089, was a $ , very fat and large, weighing 19 
lbs. It was taken 5 miles south of Beaver Dam, the burrow being 
situated in a strip of woodland. 
The teeth show no wear, from which I judge that it is a young 
animal. 
Procyon lot or (Raccoon.) 
Occasionally taken in the more heavily timbered parts of the 
county. Seldom a winter passes but that I hear of the capture of 
one or two. 
One taken near Randolph on Oct. 21, 1900 (No. 1843), 
weighed 11 5^ lbs. Sex $ 
The majority of reported captures show this animal to prefer 
the vicinity of some lake or water course, as his domain. 
Viilpcs fulviis (Red Fox.) 
Not rare, throughout the county, becoming scarcer gradually, 
is the opinion of fox hunters in general. Not a winter passes but 
that T learn of one or more seen or captured. Favorite localities 
