THE MASTERY OF THE AIR 255 



hibernating animals, they have stored up as 

 much nourishment as possible within their bodies 

 before laying themselves up for the winter, 

 and now they hang by their toes with their 

 heads downwards and their wings wrapped 

 about them, sleeping comfortably, though not 

 very profoundly, for a mild spell will wake 

 them up, until spring comes round again. 

 Quaint creatures that hang themselves up by 

 their toes and wrap themselves up in their 

 arms ! 



The young ones, usually only one at a time, 

 are born in May, and by July they are able 

 to fly with an uncertain fluttering movement 

 that makes them look like big moths in the 

 twilight. 



The nature and abundance of their food 

 makes it unnecessary for our British bats to fly 

 very far, but some of the larger fruit-eating 

 bats of warmer countries make enormous daily 

 journeys in search of their favourite fruits. We 

 are told that the "flying fox," so called from 

 the foxlike look of its long, red-furred snout, 

 will fly many miles, and even cross an arm of 

 the sea, when there are orchards to be robbed. 

 The young one attaches itself firmly to its 

 mother's breast, and so can be carried without 



