HAND-WINGED ANIMALS OR BATS 33 



creep up to a fly very quietly and carefully, and would suddenly 

 spring upon it, and cover it over with one of his wings. Then he 

 would tuck his head down underneath the wing; and a few 

 seconds later we could hear him biting off the wings and legs, 

 and crunching up the body. 



Bats do not like the daylight, and always hide themselves 

 away in some dark corner before sunrise. They resort to hollow 

 trees and old ruins. As many as thirty or forty bats have been 

 found in such a retreat, all fast asleep together. 



They do not lie down to rest like other animals, but hang 



Skeleton of Bat 



themselves up by the sharp little claws of their hind feet, with 

 their heads downwards. If they should be alarmed, all they have 

 to do is to loose their hold, fall into the air, and fly away. 



Bats hibernate in the winter time, when there are no longer 

 any moths or flies for them to eat. They go to sleep until the 

 spring, and do not need any food at all. On a mild evening, it 

 is true, they will sometimes come out for an hour or two, and 

 catch some of the winter gnats which are enjoying the warmth. 

 But they can live for three or four months with nothing to eat, 

 while they almost cease to breathe, and their blood scarcely 

 flows through their bodies. 



As soon as the warm nights of spring come round, however, 

 (Mses) D 



