DAUBENTON'S BAT. 63 



On a fine September evening in 1849, a party of 

 three ascended to the belfry for the purpose of collecting 

 specimens, having been assured by the sexton that Bats 

 abounded there. On the first appearance of one of 

 these animals, some candles were lighted, and each one, 

 according to instructions, taking hold of a bell-rope, 

 swung it round as rapidly as possible, and the Bat, 

 unable to avoid the rotating ropes, was soon struck by 

 one of them and came to the floor. Others soon made 

 their appearance, and were as speedily taken ; and in this 

 manner more than twenty were in a short time secured, 

 all of which were of the present species. The least 

 touch of the rope was sufficient to bring the Bat down, 

 if it were merely on the tip of the wing, and the creature, 

 with expanded and motionless wings, came to the floor, 

 and if uninjured, as was usually the case, at once 

 commenced running about on the boarded floor of the 

 belfry. Having taken some of these specimens away, 

 they were let loose in a well-lighted room, and the same 

 peculiar kind of flight was observed as in the dusky 

 belfry, and a similar predilection shown for ceiling, wall, 

 and floor, keeping so close to these in their flight as 

 sometimes to touch them with their wings. 



Rarely did one in either place venture across the open 

 part ; and as rarely have we shot one of this species in 

 an open place away from the surface of the water. Some 

 of the specimens from Stratford Church, although shy 

 at first, soon became assured, and were kept alive for 

 some time. They were very quiet and gentle in their 

 manners, and after a short time took milk from the palm 

 of the hand quite freely. Very small pieces of meat, 

 although at first refused, were afterwards eaten. But 

 the common house-fly was the favourite morsel, and it 

 was curious to see them poke their little noses between 



