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AUDUBON'S Quadrupeds
AMERICAN BADGER "We have never seen any animal that could exceed him in digging. He would fall to work with his strong feet and long nails, and in a minute bury himself in the earth, and would very soon advance to the end of a chain ten feet in length. In digging, the hind, as well as the fore-feet, were at work, the latter for the purpose of excavating, and the former, (like paddles,) for expelling the earth out of the hole, and nothing seemed to delight him more than burrowing in the ground; he seemed never to become weary of this kind of amusement; when he had advanced to the length of his chain he would return and commnece a fresh gallery near the mouth of the first hole; thus he would be occupied for hours, and it was necessary to drag him away by main force." Vol. 1, p. 365. Virtual Exhibits -- Special Collections & Archives -- Nimitz Library -- USNA Comments or Suggestions? |