86 OUTDOOR LIFE IN ENGLAND 



first two catches were purely accidental, both bat 

 and swallow mistaking my artificial fly, as I 

 waved it in the air for the purpose of drying it, 

 for the natural insect. Fortunately neither bat 

 nor swallow was injured, their wings being merely 

 entangled in the line. 



It has occurred to me that the following table, 

 which I have compiled from Jardine's work on 

 Bats, may be found of use for the purposes of 

 identification. I have selected this work in pre- 

 ference to many others at my disposal, believing 

 it to be so thorough. Newer-fashioned treatises on 

 natural history have made their appearance since 

 it was first published, but, in my estimation, none 

 of these are able to excel it. It has been much 

 of a companion to me throughout my life. As a 

 child its beautifully-executed plates filled me with 

 delight and wonderment, and I have found its 

 perusal a never-failing source of interest and 

 information. It taught me to love natural history, 

 and has helped me to understand much of the 

 ways and habits of the animal creation. 



