FIND A NEW VAMPYRE BAT. 97 



in with this bat in prodig"ious numbers, presenting- 

 the appearance, while flying- along- in the bright 

 sunshine, so unusual in a nocturnal animal, of a 

 large flock of rooks. On close approach a strong- 

 musky odour became apparent, and a loud incessant 

 chattering was heard. Many of the branches were 

 bending under their loads of bats, some in a state 

 of inactivity, suspended by their hind claws, others 

 scrambling along among the boughs, and taking- to 

 wing when disturbed. In a very short time I 

 procured as many specimens as I wished, three or 

 four at a shot, for they hung- in clusters, - but, 

 unless killed outright, they remained suspended for 

 some time, — when wounded they are to be handled 

 with difficulty, as they bite severely, and on such 

 occasions their cry reminds one of the squalling of a 

 child. The flesh of these large bats is reported 

 excellent; it is a favourite food with the natives, 

 and more than once furnished a welcome meal to 

 Leichhardt and his little party, during their adven- 

 turous journey to Port Essington. 



One day we were surprised to see a small vessel 

 approaching the anchorage from the southward. 

 She proved to be a cutter of twenty- five tons, called 

 the Will o' the Wisp, fitted out by a merchant in 

 Sydney, and sent in a somewhat mysterious way 

 (so as to ensure secrecy) to search for sandal, wood 

 upon the north-east coast of Australia. If found 

 in sufficient quantity, a party was to be left to cut 

 it, while the vessel returned to Moretou Bay with 



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