Atalapha, a Winged Brownie 
branch outside of the den, to wait for mother with 
the eatables. Each time they saw her coming their 
well-grown wings fluttered vigorously with excite- 
ment, and more than once with such power that 
the young bodies were lifted almost off their feet; 
surely the time had come for the great experiment. 
Instead of giving them the food that evening, the 
mother Bat kept a little way off. 
Holding the body of a cockchafer, she alighted 
on a branch, and when the hungry little ones pur- 
sued her clamoring, she kept just out of reach, and 
continued on to the end of the branch. The little 
ones scrambled after her, and just as they reached 
the prize she launched into the air on her wings. 
The Big Brother was next her. He had been 
reaching for the food; the suddenness of the move 
upset him. He lost his hold and in a moment was 
falling through the air. He gave a little screech, 
instinctively spread out his wings and flapped 
very hard. Then lo! instead of falling, he went 
fluttering forward, and before he knew it, was 
fying! 
It was weak and wabbly, but it was flight. 
Mother was close at hand, and when he seemed to 
weaken and failed to hold control, she glided under- 
neath and took his weight upon her back. Wheel- 
ing, she mounted with strong, sturdy strokes. Soon 
149 
