Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-08-09
Peeuliarities of Bats.
tFrom Chambers' Journall

Bats dislike captivity so much thai they die
under II. Five sent TO AE. Daniel were turned
into rough made cage, in which they were fed
by him with nies, foB which their appetite was
something wonderful; in their sagernGss, they
would snap and bite al one smother like so many
raVenOus ours. Cooked meat they could not an.
preciate, but raw beef was more to their taste
circumstance affording their proprietor great
relief, since, by attaching piece Of beef to the
Inside OF their box, he was saved the trouble OF
catching flies for them, and was able to watch
them cater for Themselves. The meat proved q
source Of attraction TO divers blue-bottle dies,
to the intense qualification Of the captives, who
displayed great quickness in disposing Of these
visitors No sooner did an unwitting bluebot-
tic come within range, than he was struck down
by pair OF bats wings, the fortunate bat fall
ing instantaneously with all It's membranes ex-
panded, covering over its victim, and securing
him by thrusting its head under. When the
head came forth again the membranes
Immediately closed, and the Door ty
was swallowed wings and allan operation
atfordlng several minutes enjoyment to the per
former Mr.. Daniel found his bats only eat
the beef when hunger pressed, but for a fly
they never lack an appetite. They seemed
pretty comfortable in their prison. getting quite
lively Of an evening, and RECALLING the ears OF
their owner with harsh music OF their own
more curious than pleasing. But In nineteen
days every one Of them was dead-nor did a
once very much amused by tame bat, but he
does not tell us how long the tanner had pos
Sessed his pet. This bat would take flies out of
his masters hand, bringing Its wings before its
mouth, lowering and hiding its head like a
bird of prey feeding. Like Mr.. Daniels bats,
this gentleman would eat raw flesh, but, unlike
them, always took the trouble TO shear off the
wings OF his flies ere he condescended 70 swnl.
low them. He satisfied White that it was an
error to suppose bats could not get on wings
again when down on fiat surface, by rising
easily from the floor, and running in a yery
that
With the Chinese, the bat is held symbolical
OF happiness, figuring as a fortunate emblem
among the decorations OF the outer pntes Of
the mandarins houses. Our soldiers disturbed
the serenity OF the venerated creatures in tbe
buildings they appropriated during the Last
war; the Tartar generals "yamun" and the
treasury house being particularly notable for
such tenantry, the roof of the latter being 50
thlckly covered that II was almost impossible
10 toss up stone without bringing down a
bat. The temples and tombs of Egypt swarm
with these animals, resenting the intrusion of
explorers by extinguishing their lights, cling
ing 10 their clothes and annoying them general
ly. Hot countries are the favorite homes of fbe
bat; and IN them it attains size far beyond
anything known in northern ATTITUDES When
Captain Burton was vending his way to Daho-
mey, he saw the trees blackened with clinginp
bats, and the sky speckled with swalms Of
them. The Bornean sky is said TO be obscured
for two hours at time by dense focks of bats.
In Ceylon, too, the bat is noun of multitude:
the tunnels of its highways, the galleries of jts
iortlhcations, the roofs of its bungalows, and
the ruins OF its temples, abound with them
and every cavern aud subterraneous passage
AFFORDS convenient domicie for these darkness
loving swarms. From these thew issue as tbe
sun went down, and, bold from immunity, enter
me very dining rooms, carry off the insects
skirmishing round the table liable lamps. The
island possesses 40 less than sixteen Speeies'