ADVENTURE OF A BRITISH BAT 173 



the bat flies slowly, and frequently is so bewildered by the 

 sudden change from semidarkness to light that it strikes a 

 wall, and falls to the floor. Although many persons are nerv- 

 ous about bats, I have noticed that whenever one flies in, 

 some kind-hearted and sensible person generally cries out: 

 "Don't kill it!" 



While crossing the Atlantic quite recently, a British 

 Long-Eared Bat was found on board the steamer, thirty 

 miles from the nearest land, clinging to the rail, wet and 

 weary. At that time there was no breeze from the land. 



When taken into the library, its wet fur soon dried, and 

 it began to fly to and fro. In a short time the room was 

 well filled with passengers, who watched the exhibition with 

 great interest. When caught and held for close examination, 

 it did not squeak shrilly and protest as the Red Bat usually 

 does. After having served as a useful object-lesson for a large 

 number of young people, our strange visitor was brought safely 

 to New York harbor and liberated. 



The Gray Bat 1 is one of the largest and handsomest 

 species inhabiting the northeastern United States and Can- 

 ada. It is also found throughout the middle West from Ohio 

 to California and from Manitoba to New Mexico. This is 

 a species well worth looking for. It has small ears, a head- 

 and-body length of 3 inches, tail 2 inches, and it is readily 

 distinguished by its dark-brown hair tipped with silvery white. 



The Big-Eared Bat 2 of the south Atlantic states has 

 ears of incredible height and width for a creature so small. 

 In comparison with the size of the wearer, these ears are the 



1 At-a-la'pha cin'c-re-a. 2 Co-ry-no-rhi' nus ma-cro'tix. 



