Chap. I.] 
BATS. 
17 
bees or midges. After these recreations, they hurry back 
to their favourite trees, chattering and screaming like 
monkeys, and always wrangling and contending angrily 
for the most shady and comfortable places in which 
to hang for the rest of the day protected from the sun. 
The branches they resort to soon become almost di- 
vested of leaves, these being stripped off by the action 
of the bats, attaching and detaching themselves by 
means of their hooked feet. At sunset, they fly off to 
their feeding-grounds, probably at a considerable dis- 
tance, as it requires a large area to furnish sufficient 
food for such multitudes. 
In all its movements and attitudes, the action of the 
Pteropus is highly interesting. If placed upon the 
ground, it is almost helpless, none of its limbs being 
calculated for progressive motion ; it drags itself along 
by means of the hook attached to each of its extended 
thumbs, pushing at the same time with those of its hind 
feet. Its natural position is exclusively pensile ; it moves 
laterally from branch to branch with great ease, by using 
each foot alternately, and climbs, when necessary, by 
means of its claws. 
When at rest, or asleep, the disposition of the limbs 
is most curious. At such times it suspends itself by one 
foot only, bringing the other close to its side, and thus it 
is enabled to wrap itself in the ample folds of its wings, 
which envelop it like a mantle, leaving only its up- 
turned head uncovered. Its fur is thus protected from 
damp and rain, and to some extent its body is sheltered 
from the sun. 
As it collects its food by means of its mouth, either 
when on the wing, or when suspended within reach of 
it, the flying-fox is always more or less liable to 
