BRITISH MAMMALS 



vol. i. p. 26-27)5 " It hunts for its food — moths and flying beetles, especially 

 the fern-chafer — at an elevation of from thirty to thirty-five feet above the 

 ground. In flight, w^hen seen to advantage, this Bat exhibits more grace than 

 power and activity, the characteristics of the Noctule ; it sails and flutters 

 with a delicate butterfly flight which is exceedingly attractive. Its broad 

 wing area is noticeable and gives the animal a larger appearance than it 

 actually possesses. In the open air the flight seems slow but full of grace 

 and buoyancy." 



With regard to its method of feeding, Barrett-Hamilton states {A History 

 of British Mammals^ part v. p. 244), " There can now, I think, be little 

 doubt that the Horse-shoes do not, like most other bats, consume their prey 

 when on the wing, but habitually alight to eat it, conveying it for this 

 purpose to certain favourite dining-places within the shelter of the caves. 



These, even when the diners are absent, are betrayed by the debris of 

 wings, elytra, and other fragments, as well as by the heaps of excrement 

 which fall to the ground during and after a meal." 



The two species of Horse-shoe Bat show a wonderfiil dexterity in 

 alighting, when in order to perch head downwards they turn a complete 

 somersault. 



When hibernating, they hang suspended by their feet, whilst their bodies 

 are almost entirely enshrouded by the wings. 



A single young one is born at a time, which is carried by the mother, 

 attached by its teeth to her body. Two have been recorded in Germany. 



