MAMMALS OF THE AIR 33S 



countries, Bats are found. They have a wide distribution, but are 

 most numerous and attain their greatest size in the Eastern tropics. 



They are divided into two groups, Insect-Eaters and Fruit- 

 Eaters. Those coming under the first named are the species found 

 in Europe, "and most of those of America, as well as portions of 

 Asia and Africa," and the fruitarians are mostly inhabitants of the 

 south-east of Asia. 



KALONG. — Among the Fruit Bats we find the largest members 

 of the order Chiroptera, meaning "hand-winged" animals, and 

 these are generally known to many people as Flying Foxes. The 

 Kalong of Java is an immense Bat, for its wings when spread out 

 measure almost five feet across, and it has been compared for size of 

 body with that of the Common Rook. In spite of its size this species 

 has a perfectly noiseless flight, and as Mr. Protheroe has well said, 

 "it is a wise arrangement of the Creator that gives muffled wings 

 to all night-flying creatures, whether Birds, Moths, or Bats." 



These Fruit Bats — indeed, most kinds of these flying mammals 

 — are of gregarious disposition, living in large companies, and 

 when a horde of these beasts of the air come forth from their 

 hiding-places and commence feeding upon soft fruits, such as figs 

 and bananas, it may well be imagined that it does not take long 

 for considerable damage to be perpetrated. So that against the real 

 good deeds of the insectivorous species, we have to place the mis- 

 deeds of the frugivorous kinds. It must be remembered, however, 

 that the Kalong at any rate does not disdain lizards and small birds, 

 and helps by partaking of these to preserve the balance of Nature. 



With a long pointed muzzle and large full eyes (for a Bat), the 

 Kalong has a somewhat Fox or Dog-like appearance about the 

 head. It belongs to those kinds of Bats which, unlike the majority 

 of their fellows, are not distasteful of light, for we find that, instead 

 of hiding their bodies in dark places, like the species known by 

 sight to most people, these Fruit Bats suspend their bodies from 

 the summits of tall trees. When sleeping an anchorage is obtained 

 by hanging on to a bough with one foot only, the second one being 

 tucked away underneath the wing. It seems curious why this 

 should be, for although, as has been well stated, "the Goose sleeps 

 upon one leg lest upon some frosty night it may get frozen hard 

 and fast to the ice," it seems difficult to account for any kind of 

 Bat carrying out such a practice when a double anchorage would 

 make it more secure in the dizzy heights it frequents. 



