88 BIRD HAUNTS AND NATURE MEMORIES 



hind-legs." Thus more than a hundred years ago the 

 observant parson saw an action which later naturalists 

 ignored; but it is evident that the use of the interfemoral 

 pouch is not to force the prey into the mouth, but to 

 secure such a hold upon it that it shall not escape. 



After food and exercise the noctules invariably per- 

 formed an elaborate toilet before retiring once more. 

 The ablutions were performed as they hung by one leg; 

 with ease they reached every part of the body or wing 

 membrane with the other leg, combing out the fur, 

 scratching the back, head, or belly. They sucked their 

 toes as they combed, washing and brushing at the same 

 time, and twisting into curious positions, swinging from 

 side to side. 



My male bat took more vigorous exercise than the 

 female. He seldom struck an object, but would some- 

 times brush lightly over my head as he passed. Once 

 he touched an electric globe, but he circled round and 

 round the wire without stirring it. Unlike some bats, 

 which can reverse in the air, he invariably alighted on an 

 upright object head uppermost, clutching first with his 

 thumbs, but instantly shuffled round and took hold with 

 his feet, thus hanging in the most convenient position 

 for a renewal of flight. 



How the flying noctule becomes aware of the presence 

 of prey, when both are passing rapidly through the air, 

 is not easy to understand, especially as we cannot be sure 

 how perfect is its eyesight. Experiments with other bats 

 have satisfied me that the power of vision differs consider- 

 ably in the various species. The big-eyed, long-eared bat 

 certainly seems to see well; the horseshoes, in which the 

 little eye is almost hidden in the fur, certainly see but 

 little. The noctule uses its eyes, but it may be short- 

 sighted. One thing is certain, its hearing is good, and the 

 vibration of an insect's wing may set up notes which it can 



