The Ways of Bats 



THE note quoted about the large bat is especially 

 interesting to us, since it was one of the first notes 

 made about this curious creature, commonly called 

 " noctule," and to Gilbert White belongs the honour 

 of its discovery. 



The different species of bats number more than one 

 hundred, some being insect-eaters, some fruit-eaters ; 

 and about a dozen species, all insectivorous, and all 

 small members of their families, inhabit this country. 



The large noctule is a most useful creature, and de- 

 vours cockchafers and beetles ; he is sometimes heard 

 uttering a shrill note. 



Bats are grotesque creatures, and it is small wonder 

 that the ancients looked upon them as harpies, part 

 beast and part bird fearsome things, working mis- 

 chief wherever they went. 



But our little long-eared bat is not without beauty, 

 its wonder and charm lying in its ears, which are extra- 

 ordinarily long, ever on the alert when it is awake, 

 and gracefully folded when asleep ; within the large 

 ears are what seem to be smaller ears, or inner lobes. 

 The body is only three or four inches in length, but the 

 wings spread out to twelve inches or more. 



On the wing this bat utters a shrill, short squeak, so 

 high-pitched that some people cannot hear the sound. 



The commonest of all our bats is the pipistrelle, 

 which haunts old houses and barns, and often comes to 

 churches, and may be seen during the services. It 



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