THE INSECTIVOROUS BATS 



and Walmer, their shrill metallic-sounding cry may 

 be heard, and their weird forms may be observed 

 flitting about the trees in gardens and parks during 

 the entire winter season. 



Insectivorous Bats sometimes congregate in great 

 numbers under the eaves of houses, between the 

 ceiling and the roof, and other parts which it is diffi- 

 cult to reach without first removing a portion of the 

 woodwork. These bats sometimes become a nuis- 

 ance by reason of their shrill chattering, squeaking, 

 and the excreta which accumulates. When this is 

 the case, every possible means should be taken to 

 dislodge them before resorting to taking their lives. 

 This can frequently be done by driving them forth 

 and blocking up or putting netting over the apertures 

 through which they enter. They often become very 

 troublesome in churches which are built in the old- 

 fashioned manner, affording abundant nooks and 

 crevices for bats to rest and hide in security. It is 

 rather disconcerting to a preacher when a couple of 

 bats elect to fly about a few feet above the heads 

 of the audience during the service, ever and anon 

 skimming within an inch of the good folks' heads 

 and faces. Within ten miles of Pietermaritzburg in 

 Natal, on the farm of Mr. H. Martens, a tunnel was 

 driven into the side of a hill for a considerable dis- 

 tance. About fifty yards from the entrance, the 

 tunnel takes a sharp turn, and after proceeding some 

 yards the place is in a state of absolute darkness, 

 where even an owl's eyes would be of no service at 



lOI 



