THE BADGER. 
303 
Several species are known in the various portions of North America, mostly in the South- 
western States, and in Mexico. The group is peculiar to the American Continent. 
The curious a.uima.1 whose portrait is presented to the reader is known under several 
titles, among which the Sand-Beak is that by which it will be designated in these pages. It 
is also called the Indian Badger, and sometimes the Balisaur, a name which is corrupted 
from the Hindostanee word Balloo-soor, signifying Sand-Hog. There is a very great resem- 
blance between this animal and the well-known badger, from which creature, however, it 
may easily be distinguished by the greater comparative lengfh of its legs, and the more hog - , 
like snout. 
The general color of the fur of the Sand-Bear is a yellowish -white, diversified by two black 
bands that run on each side of the head, and unite by the muzzle. The upper of these bands 
includes the ear and eye in its course, and curves downwards at the shoulder, where it is 
SAND-BEAR, OR BALISAUR.— Arctonyx coliarls. 
nearly met by the dark hue of the fore-limbs. The claws are slightly curved, extremely 
powerful, and well suited for digging in the ground, as the toes are united for their entire 
length. The tail is extremely short. 
In its wild state the Sand-Bear is said to be fierce in disposition, and sufficiently powerful 
to beat off a dog that would not hesitate to attack a wolf or a hyena. When attacked or irri- 
tated, the Sand-Bear raises itself on its hind legs, after the manner of the bears, and threatens 
its antagonist with its fore-limbs, in which it seems fully to trust. Its food is of a mixed 
character, but appears to be more of a vegetable than an animal nature. It is not a very com- 
mon animal, and is generally found in the hill country. 
Although one of the most quiet and inoffensive of our indigenous animals, the Badger 
has been subjected to such cruel persecutions as could not be justified even if the creature 
were as destructive and noisome as it is harmless or innocuous. For the purposes of so-called 
“sport,” the Badger was captured and kept in a cage ready to be tormented at the cruel will 
of every ruffian who might choose to risk his dog against the sharp teeth of the captive animal. 
Although the Badger is naturally as harmless an animal as can be imagined, it is a terrible 
antagonist when provoked to use the means of defence with which it is so well provided. Not 
only are the teeth long and sharp, but the jaws are so formed, that when the animal closes its 
mouth the jaws “lock” together by a peculiar structure of their junction with the skull, and 
retain their hold without the need of any special effort on the part of the animal. 
Unlike the generality of the weasel tribe, the Badger is slow and clumsy in its actions. 
