1200 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



visage of such hobgoblin ughness. To this, no doubt, the 

 harmless Bat owes thanks for centuries of human cruelties and 

 oppression, and for all its ill repute. Could we but feel and 

 remember that this is the original of the winged Brownie, the 

 sprite that dwells in caves, coming forth at the magic call of the 

 dew-time, to sport and circle in the airy woods, the elf that 

 sometimes truly sleeps the winter-long sleep ascribed by legend 

 to the elfin folk, and that is, withal, the highest and most gifted 

 of the earth-born beings in our northern woods — could we but 

 keep these things in mind, how differently we should feel 

 towards the Bat. 



