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.
[Illustration:
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.
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