BRITISH MAMMALS 
vol. i. p. 26-27), " It hunts for its food — moths and flying beetles, especially 
the fern-chafer — at an elevation of from thirty to thirty-live feet above the 
ground. In flight, when 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 wonderful 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. 
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