History of British animals - University of Guam Marine Laboratory

Meles. MAMMALIA. FERA. 911. T. europcea.— The fur of this well known animal isfound in all the interme-usually black, but it is occasionallydiate stagesto yellowishwhite.E, Mold-wark; 5, Muddywort; W, Gwadd, Twrch-daear; G, Famh,Uir-reathabh—Not in Orkney or Zetland.The mole, destined to live chiefly under ground, is furnished with verysmall eyes.It constructs its gallei-ies or roads three or four inches below thesurface, in soil frequented by worms, which are its principal food. The roadsare scooped out by the fore paws, and the earth, thus removed, is thrown up,at intervals, by the nose, and forms those unseemly hillocks which are so offensiveto the gardener and farmer. Moles usually cast their winter furin May, before which time they have paired. The hillock in which theybring forth their young is distinguished by its superior size. The nest consistsof dry roots or leaves placed on an eminence, in an arched chamber,from which roads diverge in different directions. The young are five in number,and at birth are naked and blind. The individuals of the family generallykeep together until the following spring, or breeding season ; so that atrap set in one of the principal roads of the colony, will frequently catchthe whole seven in succession. They have usually a well frequented path tothe water, if a ditch be in the neighbourhood. They swim with ease, andcross rivers, or shift from one island to another. They are most active a littleafter sunrise, and an hour or two after noon ;and before rain in summer andthaw in winter. The fur is used in hat-making.11. The second incisor, on each side in the lower jaw, placedbehind the others. The three hinds of'grinders distinct.Clavicle imperfect.Gen. VII. MELES. Badger.— Incisors six in each jaw.Above, the tusk is followed by one small and two largetearers, to which succeed one chewer followed by a largebruiser. In the lower jaw, the bruiser is small, the chewer—large, and there is an additional tearer. See Phil. Zool.ii. p. 181. tab. %. i. 2.12. M. Taxus.— Hair rigid, grey above, black beneath ;head above white, with a black band on each side from the noseover the eyesto behind the ears.E, Gay, Pate, Bawson ; S, Brock ; W, Pryf-Llwyd, Pryf-pen-frithFrequent in thickets, and probably not found to the north of the CaledonianCanal.The usual length of the badger is about 24 feet, and of the tail C inches.Weight seldom exceeds 30 lb. The ears are small, the tongue smooth, andthe nails are long, bent, and grooved beneath. A transverse glandular pouchoccurs between the tail and vent. It burrows in the ground, forming severalapartments with one common entry. Feeds on frogs, lizards, wild honey,and even roots. In confinement, I have seen it devour greedily crows andrabbits, and likewise eggs, of which it seemed very fond, licking out the contentswith its tongue. It is probably a general depredator, lloams aboutduring the night in quest of prey, and in the winter season seldom movesfrom its den, but remains in a quiescent state. It brings forth five young ata birth. Is easily tamed, indolent and fond of warmth. When attacked,seeks for safety in flight, but, when compelled, fights obstinately, biting hard.