The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1911-03-31

really quite plentiful. though perhau
not so much so as In bygone times
that Is to say, If the tales one bean
are to be trusted. Perhaps a better
indication Is that there are placa|
named Brock holes and similar nams|
where no badgers are found TO-DAY
Yellow or sable badgers with pni
eyes have occurred in this part au|
some years ago an old female thu|
colored, together with her two babies
came into. my possession. The young
ones were the ordinary gray am|
white, but charming little creature
utterly unlike their savage moths,
who sulkily resented captivity. AL
soon as they were weaned they ven|
given bread and milk to eat; occasion
ally bits Of dog biscuit and oths
scraps were added. In the end W|
parted with them, as the higher az
thorities" thought they were not safe
pets. They may not have been; but
tried their temper in every way, n
king the two for walks dragged along
by a collar and chain, and carna
them about, one under each arm, that
Is to say, until they got too big and
heavy, but they never seemed to mind
Another pet badger was half grown
when l acquired it; the poor thing
had been caught in trap. and Its leg
was rather badly hurt. A keeper
brought 1t to me, knowing that wa
always willing to give home to an!
stray animal; 80 l took it, fed 1t well
II have never had any animal that
could eat so much-and did the best
could for it. Grumbles. for so 1t w
christened. had to pose before tns
camera; but many hours were spent
and many plates wasted before ! Oh
tanned any characteristic pictures, i0'
the badger took no interest in the at
Of photography. 1t was not like u!
tame owl, Old Hooter, who, at the
sight Of the camera, will fly to 1t and
dance Jig on the bellows. In Il'
end the badger was released, | lei u
go one evening in the woods. 1t tf%
ted of in a deliberate way, and :
thought should never see him again.
but about three months later sons
neighbors complained Of the mysler
GUS way their bulbs planted IN ln'
turf were being scratched up ana e's
en-. 1t appeared they were plan!ls
a large number of crocuses In tnsn
garden, which was done by removlns
with q patent instrument, a sou
grass in shape like a cork, droppns
in a btflb and replacing the "stopps.
The next morning every CORK ~
been drawn" and all the bulbs 10 I,
disappeared. A badger was event.
ly blamed and the culprit localea
dry drain. It was dug out, put u
sack and sent OF to me. ! gladiy g.
it home and had it turned in'0
kennel. Two days later the o". =.
Of the crocuses came up to SEE
badger. A man went into the pc
and brought brock" out by MS '' "a
this is the only part of its poo, ~
can hold a badger by-then %" ,on
bad leg, healed now, that my ~
Grumbles had suffered from. " ,.r
Grumbles home again! sha. -.
to keep him now. My hope is 'na ;,
and by shall be able to oO'''
mate for him. and
One Of the most mysterious
alarming sounds l know is the 81 ~
badger heard In the stiffness !" .nd
night. have only heard 1t one. !. md
then am sure it was motns' M
cubs, for it instantly recai'eu ,hoa
cries Of the two captive Ones vim lint
ordinary noises were of the sIun oecr
description, but who could, Oh ~
sion, cry like baby. As ! sa a..ncs
fore, the badgers Of my acqus, .s.ipu
confined their Conversation ~hia
to q sort Of grumbling grunl, .rrua
sometimes, when annoyed tne'
into 4 loud snort Of anger. e,rf
London, England. ~
s.r&a- n1.no where q msp n