Ch. XIII.] FLYING FOXES. ■ 213 



easily have been mistaken by a casual observer for rooks 

 returning to their nests. The body was heavier than that 

 of a rook, however, and there was a peculiar bat-like form 

 of wing which at once arrested attention when they were 

 directly over-head. They had aU passed over before it 

 was too dark to see them, and returned again before the 

 sun had fairly risen next morning. These large bats are 

 all fragivorous, and were bound to the fruit districts, where 

 they spend the night in feasting. The distance which they 

 flew to their feeding-ground must have been considerable, 

 but they appear well calculated for long flights, having 

 none of the vacillating and fluttering motion which charac- 

 terises the insectivorous bats (popularly called Flittermice) 

 of this country, which take their prey upon the wing. 

 They fly at varying heights, according to the season and 

 weather. If fine, they are usually out of gunshot range, 

 but at other times it is not difficult to wing them. When 

 thus brought down, they are very pugnacious, and bite 

 fiercely ; and in Java it is a common sport to match a 

 terrier against them, when brought to the ground. 



In the Straits of Banea, a considerable number of Pteropi 

 flew across at sunset from the Island of Banca to the Island 

 of Sumatra (north to south). They were of a larger size 

 than the Sarawak specimens, and flew in many cases within 

 gunshot. The two legs projecting slightly behind, gave 

 them the appearance of having a forked tail. , 



The fertility of Sarawak is mainly due to an original 

 rich loamy soil, which has for ages supported a succession 

 of forests whose decay has produced a deep layer of vege- 

 table mould — so that in most parts it is easily cultivated, 

 and gives an ample return. The Dyaks, whose agricultural 

 operations are of a very primitive character, nevertheless 



