THE LONG-EARED BAT. 121 



At this juncture, my aid was invoked ; and I, accordingly, drew the bat from its hiding 

 place. It did its little best to bite, but its tiny teeth could do no damage even to a 

 sensitive skin. 



The bat was then placed in an empty mouse-cage, and soon became sufficiently 

 familiar to eat and drink under observation, It would never eat flies, although many of 

 these insects were offered, and seemed to prefer small bits of raw beef to any other food. 

 It was a troublesome animal to feed, for it would not touch the meat unless it were 

 freshly cut and quite moist ; forcing me to prepare morsels fit for its dainty maw, six 

 or seven times daily. 



It spent the day at the top or on the side of its cage, being suspended from its hinder 

 claws, and would occasionally descend from its eminence in order to feed or to drink. 

 While eating, it was accustomed to lower itself from the cage roof, and to crawl along the 

 floor until it reached the piece of meat. The wings were then thrown forward so as to 

 envelope the food, and under the shelter of its wings, the bat would droop its head over 



LONG-EARED BAT. Plelotus communia. 



the meat, and then consume it. On account of the sharp surface of its teeth, it could 

 not eat its food quietly, but was forced to make a series of pecking bites, something like 

 the action of a cat in similar circumstances. 



It would drink in several ways, sometimes crawling up to the water vessel and 

 putting its head into the water, but usually lowering itself down the side of the cage 

 until its nose dipped in the liquid. When it had thus satisfied its thirst, it would 

 re-ascend to the roof, fold its wings about itself, and betake itself to slumber once more. 



I kept the little animal for some time, but it did not appear to thrive, having, in 

 all probability, been hurt by the broom-handle which had been used so freely 

 against it, and at last was found dead in its cage from no apparent cause. Although dead, 

 it still hung suspended, and the only circumstance that appeared strange in its at- 

 titude was, that the wings drooped downwards instead of being wrapped tightly round 

 the body. 



In the attitude of repose, this bat presents a most singular figure. The wings are 

 wrapped around and held firmly to the body; the immense ears are folded back, and the 

 pointed inner ear, or " tragus," stands boldly out, giving the creature a totally different 

 aspect. 



