254 THE HAUNTS OF LIFE 
mouse-like ears, and the curious leaves of skin 
about its nostrils are also very sensitive, but it 
scarcely seems to need these to show it what to 
avoid when flying. Some say that as the bat 
flies it utters its high-pitched cry, and that the 
echoes of this from branches and the like help 
it to avoid obstacles. 
On the ground the bat is very clumsy and 
can only shuffle along, as indeed we should 
expect from the fact that both fore- and hind- 
limbs are taken up in the making of the wing. 
All the bats in Britain—and there are about 
fifteen different kinds—belong to the smaller 
insect-eating section. They remain in retreat 
by day, but on mild evenings they may often 
be seen flying about in pursuit of the gnats, 
flies, and moths on which they feed. The 
commonest of our bats, which is also the 
smallest, is known as the pipistrelle. Its body, 
covered with reddish-brown fur, is only about 
134 inch in length, but the expanse of wing 
makes it look much bigger in the air. 
As cold weather approaches and insect life 
gets scarce, the bats retire to winter quarters. 
A cave, a disused chimney, the roof of a barn, 
a church tower, a hollow tree—any dark, quiet 
spot will serve their purpose. Like other 
