ANIMALS OF THE 



ing skin, and divided into five toes, somewhat 

 resembling those of a mouse. The skin by which 

 it flies is of a dusky colour. The body is cover- 

 ed with a short fur, of a mouse colour, tinged 

 with red. The eyes are very small; the ears 

 like those of a mouse. 



This species of the bat is very common in Eng- 

 land. It makes its first appearance early in sum- 

 mer, and begins its flight in the dusk of the even- 

 ing. It principally frequents the sides of woods, 

 glades, and shady walks ; and is frequently ob- 

 served to skim along the surface of pieces of 

 water. It pursues gnats, moths, and nocturnal 

 insects of every kind. It feeds upon these ; but 

 will not refuse meat, wherever it can find it. Its 

 flight is a laborious, irregular movement ; and if 

 it happens to be interrupted in its course, it can- 

 not readily prepare for a second elevation ; so 

 that if it strikes against any object, and falls to 

 the ground, it is usually taken. It appeal's only 

 in the most pleasant evenings, when its prey is 

 generally abroad, and flies in pursuit with its 

 mouth open. At other times it continues in its 

 retreat, the chink of a ruined building, or the 

 hollow of a tree. Thus this little animal, even 

 in summer, sleeps the greatest part of its time, 

 never venturing out by day-light, nor in rainy 

 weather ; never hunting in quest of prey but for 

 a small part of the night, and then returning to 

 its hole. But its short life is still more abridged, 

 by continuing in a torpid state during the win- 

 ter. At the approach of the cold season, the bat 

 prepares for its state of lifeless inactivity, and 



