[Illustration: THE BIRDS, THE BEASTS, AND THE BAT.]
Once upon a time there commenced a fierce war between the Birds and the
Beasts; when the Bat, taking advantage of his ambiguous make hoped, by
that means, to live secure in a state of neutrality, and save his bacon.
It was not long before the forces on each side met, and gave battle;
and, their animosities running very high, a bloody slaughter ensued. The
Bat, at the beginning of the day, thinking the birds most likely to
carry it, listed himself among them; but kept fluttering at a little
distance, that he might the better observe, and take his measures
accordingly. However, after some time spent in the action, the army of
the Beasts seeming to prevail, he went entirely over to them, and
endeavoured to convince them, by the affinity which he had to a Mouse,
that he was by nature a beast, and would always continue firm and true
to their interest. His plea was admitted; but, in the end, the advantage
turning completely on the side of the Birds, under the admirable conduct
and courage of their general the Eagle, the Bat, to save his life, and
escape the disgrace of falling into the hands of his deserted friends,
betook himself to flight; and ever since, skulking in caves and hollow
trees all day, as if ashamed to show himself, he never appears till the
dusk of the evening, when all the feathered inhabitants of the air are
gone to roost.