THE BAT.
This curious animal appears at first sight to be a bird, but it has nothing in common with them, but the power of raising itself into the air. The common species of this animal is about the size of a mouse, or nearly two inches and a half in length: the wings are in fact an extension of the skin all round the body; it is stretched on every side when the animal flies, by the four inner toes of the fore feet, which are very long.
THE BAT.
THE BAT.
THE BAT.
The body of the Bat is covered with a short fur, of a mouse colour, tinged with red; the eyes are very small, and the ears like those of a mouse.
The Bat appears early in the summer, and begins its flight towards evening. It feeds upon gnats, moths, and almost all insects. This animal sleeps away the greater part of its time, never venturing abroad by day-light, nor yet in wet weather.