The little book of British quadrupeds

Chapter 45: THE BAT.

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About This Book

A compact collection of short, plainspoken entries on a wide range of four-footed animals found in Britain, from large livestock and working horses to wild carnivores and small rodents. Each entry summarizes physical traits, typical habits, habitat, and interactions with people, and often notes practical uses of animal parts alongside brief illustrative anecdotes about temperament or performance. The work compares breeds and working capacities, offers concise natural-history observations about diet and behaviour, and presents information in an accessible, utilitarian style for general readers interested in familiar quadrupeds.

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 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.