30 THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



at the end in which the young are born generally in number from five to ten 

 towards the end of May. As its name implies, it can swim and dive remarkably 

 well, and, in addition to land insects, it hunts for the larvae of water insects, 

 shrimps, frog spawn, and even tiny fish. It is commonest in Wales, but is 

 to be found in England and Scotland, though not hi Ireland. 



Order: CHEIROPTERA (" Hand-winged ") Bats. 



Bats present some unique features which should be noted first of all. 

 First, they are the only mammals in the world which can really fly. If the 

 wing is examined, it will be seen to be in reality a modified hand, with very 

 long fingers and a very short thumb. Between the fingers comes the thin, 

 tough membrane which transforms the hand into a wing (Titania's description 

 of the " rere-mice " with their leathern wings, in A Midsummer Night's Dream, 

 is singularly apt). The ears are remarkable, as in certain species the tragus, 

 or flap of skin which human beings possess guarding the entrance to the ear- 

 hole, is developed into a strange shape and size, and presents the appearance 

 of an inner ear. Many species have a curious development of cartilage 

 round the nose, known as a " leaf " ; but in British species this is not to 

 be found to any marked degree, though the Barbastelle Bat has a most 

 eccentric-shaped and grooved nose and lips, which at first sight suggest 

 a crumpled leaf. 



Bats are not " blind," in spite of the proverb, but possess very small eyes. 

 They are chiefly nocturnal in their habits, and depend, therefore, upon hearing 

 and smell ; though they may be seen by day occasionally. I once observed a 

 large bat daily which left its hiding-place in my roof almost always between 

 twelve and one o'clock, and after a short flight duly returned. It is said that 

 they possess some remarkable power, beyond ordinary hearing and smell, 

 which guides them in avoiding obstacles in the dark. No doubt the curious 

 glands and bulges upon their faces which will be at once observed if they are 

 examined closely serve some such purpose. 



These remarkable mammals hibernate in the winter, but not to that 

 thoroughgoing extent usually associated with hibernation. Occasionally 

 on a mild winter's day they may be observed flying no doubt tempted forth 

 by hunger. They breed in the spring, the young, in England, consisting of one, 

 though in Europe two are produced at a birth. They are born blind and naked, 

 and cling to the mother's breasts until old enough to leave her. The latter 

 literally folds them in her arms : for she bends one wing over her body while 

 she hangs suspended by the other. 



Bats can walk, or rather crawl, and climb and swim, if need be. I need 

 scarcely mention that they sleep upside-down ; but I have known a printer, 

 before now, insist upon setting the photograph (Plate II.) the other way about, 

 because he thought that was the " right way up." Some species are gregarious 

 in their habit : I once had to get rid of nearly a hundred which had taken 



