330 THE BOOK OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM 



for example, yet it can dip down and swoop in an uncertain, hesi- 

 tating way, as those who have watched it can well testify. The Bat 

 must of necessity be continually using its flying membrane when 

 engaged in flight, as it is only by this means that it prevents itself 

 from falling, and if it does happen to come to ground it is not easy 

 for it to rise again, and reminds one of the Swift among birds in 

 this respect. 



Yet the mammal we have under review is possessed of wonderful 

 powers of endurance upon the wing ; indeed, it is because it has to 

 constantly keep its flight organs in full working order that its endur- 

 ance is so marked. It cannot temporarily check its progress through 

 the air like the Kingfisher, for instance, which, when dashing 

 like a feathered meteor down stream, can pull itself up suddenly and, 

 without any apparent discomfiture, hover over the surface of the 

 water more like a large tropical Butterfly than a bird. 



Neither can the Bat free-wheel in the air with the amazing clever- 

 ness and great delicacy of movement exhibited by the Ring Dove, 

 nor sweep along and upwards with the dexterity of the Swallow. 

 The tail of the mammal, however, ably assists it and acts as a rudder. 

 By means of it the animal is able to execute rapid turns when flying, 

 and in many ways exhibit when in the air active and nimble move- 

 ments which cannot fail to be noticed. 



In the construction of the limbs, however, it will be found upon 

 examination that the Bat is well adapted for executing other move- 

 ments that its mode of life demands. By means of them it can both 

 creep and climb, and the claw-shaped thumb enables it to hook itself 

 on to the ground or other solid object. When upon the ground the 

 Bat shambles along and reminds one of a decrepit old man more 

 than anything else, the body being pushed forward with its feet. 

 This, it will be recognized, would not be possible if the thumb and 

 feet were included in the flying membrane. The claw-like thumb 

 and feet enable the creature to climb up trees, posts, walls, or other 

 objects, and then, having ascended, it is able, by flinging its body 

 into the air, to pursue its aerial movements. It is for this reason, 

 too, that a Bat, when resting, is always found suspended head 

 downwards, for, if it drops, it can immediately expand the flying 

 membrane. The feet are very slender, but, in spite of this, the 

 animal is able to secure a firm hold of the support to which it 

 becomes attached, so much so that during the period of hibernation 

 it is able to keep its position for some months at a stretch. 



