254 THE HAUNTS OF LIFE 



mouse-like ears, and the curious leaves of skin 

 about its nostrils are also very sensitive, but it 

 scarcely seems to need these to show it what to 

 avoid when flying. Some say that as the bat 

 flies it utters its high-pitched cry, and that the 

 echoes of this from branches and the like help 

 it to avoid obstacles. , 



On the ground the bat is very clumsy and 

 can only shuffle along, as indeed we should 

 expect from the fact that both fore- and hind- 

 limbs are taken up in the making of the wing. 



All the bats in Britain and there are about 

 fifteen different kinds belong to the smaller 

 insect-eating section. They remain in retreat 

 by day, but on mild evenings they may often 

 be seen flying about in pursuit of the gnats, 

 flies, and moths on which they feed. The 

 commonest of our bats, which is also the 

 smallest, is known as the pipistrelle. Its body, 

 covered with reddish-brown fur, is only about 

 i^4 m ch in length, but the expanse of wing 

 makes it look much bigger in the air. 



As cold weather approaches and insect life 

 gets scarce, the bats retire to winter quarters. 

 A cave, a disused chimney, the roof of a barn, 

 a church tower, a hollow tree any dark, quiet 

 spot will serve their purpose. Like other 



