Vermin of the Farm^ 
One 5f the chief pleasures to be derived from a study of 
natural history is the observation of the habits of v?ild creatures 
in their natural haunts ; and amongst other adventures in this 
direction, it has been our fortune to sit out in the woods at 
night, at a distance from all human habitation, and to watch 
the badger leaving its “ earth.” On one occasion we saw three 
badgers at play about twenty yards up-wind of where we were 
sitting. A most interesting sight it was, and the recollection 
of it, as we write, prompts us to say a good word for an ill-used 
because little known animal. 
The badger, if taken young, may be easily tamed, and 
makes a curious and interesting pet. It is very cleanly in its 
habits, and, if fed on dog-biscuit and bread and milk, may be 
allowed the run of the house ; though only at dusk, for during 
the day it should be allowed to sleep in its kennel within a 
walled yard, where it can be safely locked up. Several friends 
who have tried the experiment have succeeded beyond their 
expectations ; amongst them a lady in North Wales, who has 
had a tame badger for nearly three years. This, badger accom- 
panies her in her evening walk across the fields and through 
the woods, without attempting to escape, hunting for beetles, 
field-slugs, and worms, of which it is very fond, and returning 
from a distance when called. Should a shepherd with his collie 
approach near enough to risk an encounter, the badger is lifted 
up in the arms of its kind mistress, and held until the danger 
has passed. The country children, on seeing her, exclaim : 
“ There goes Miss L. and her funny dog.” They do not know 
the badger in its wild state (though the animal is common in 
the neighbouring woods), for its nocturnal habitg screen it from 
general observation. 
It is satisfactory to think that, owing to the more extended 
teaching of natural history, popular prejudices in regard to 
certain wild animals are being gradually removed. Not 
only has “badger-baiting” become well-nigh a thing of the 
past, but certain country gentlemen, whom we could name, 
have lately gone so far as to restore the badger to its ancient 
haunts in old woodlands, where, through unreasoning persecu- 
tion, it had long become extinct. Let us hope that their confi- 
dence in its good behaviour may not prove to be misplaced. 
J. E, Harting. 
