. The American natural history : a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America . Natural history. BATS OP THE UNITED STATES G5 In midsummer, sharp eyes sometimes find this bat hanging close in amongst the leaves of a chestnut tree, its delicate fur as red as the brightest iron-rust. Touch it ever so gently and whisk! it is off as swiftly as a swallow, to seek another and a better hiding-place. From sunset until it grows quite dark, it is very busy, and constantly on the wing. The. THE RED BAT. Red Bat is a swift flyer, and much more of an aerial gymnast than any bird
. The American natural history : a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America . Natural history. BATS OP THE UNITED STATES G5 In midsummer, sharp eyes sometimes find this bat hanging close in amongst the leaves of a chestnut tree, its delicate fur as red as the brightest iron-rust. Touch it ever so gently and whisk! it is off as swiftly as a swallow, to seek another and a better hiding-place. From sunset until it grows quite dark, it is very busy, and constantly on the wing. The. THE RED BAT. Red Bat is a swift flyer, and much more of an aerial gymnast than any bird I know. In its flight it can turn abruptly with marvellous pre- cision, and to me it is a constant source of won- der that it can fly so rapidly, turn and double so quickly, and dart in all possible directions without striking something. Almost any bird attempting to fly over the course of a Red Bat, and at the same speed, would probably come to grief in a very short time. The only mistake that Red Bats are prone to make is in flying into houses through open windows, and instantly forgetting the location of the means of escape. Once in a room, the bat flies slowly, and frequently is so bewildered by the sudden change from semi-darkness to light that it strikes a wall, and falls to the floor. Al- though many persons are nervous about bats, I have noticed that whenever one flies in, some kind-hearted and sensible person generally cries out, "Don't kill it!" While crossing the Atlantic quite recently, a British Long-Eared Bat was found on board the steamer, thirty miles from the nearest land, clinging to the rail, wet and weary. At that time there was no breeze from the land. When taken into the library, its wet fur soon dried, and it began to fly to and fro. In a short time the room was well filled with passengers, who watched the exhibition with great interest. When caught and held for close examination, it did not squeak shrilly and protest as the red bat usually does
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