The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-02
BATS OWN THls THEATER.
Performances et Matinces and I'm the
Evenings.
Brooklyn Eagle.

Brooklyn Eagle. ~
Bats are doing for Tavares. Fla. what a
boom failed to do-earning IL a national rep
utation. Tavares is quiet little town In the
central lake region OF south Florida, about
155 miles from Jacksonville. During the
Florida boom Of about fifteen years ago Ia
wares. as most other towns of the state.
had great expectations. 1t would soon be-
come city, OF course, and people woald
come there from all OF the colder parts OF
the country, and from cold places in other
countries TO enjoy its genial sunshine, go
boating on its charming Lake Dora, stroll
through its beautiful orange groves whose
trees were bending with their load OF golden
fruit, and. last but not least. leave some of
their cash in the place to aid in its upbuild-
ing, and for the general betterment OF the
people.
of course the ambitious little town must
prepare for the coming people. IL must not
only have hotels, stores and barber shops,
but places of amusement would also be nee
essary. In the interest of the last-named
necessity, a wi6e-awake citizen conceived
the idea of building, a theater. and n fine
brick building was erected for this purpose.
1t was large enough for a New York audi
ence, but Travares was building for the
future.
During the daytime they cover the wall
of the building TO the depth of at least two
feet, and often accumulate in large punches
somewhat as beef do when they slight In
their immense numbers, however, is OBJ
tanned by watching them fly out OF the
building In the evening 10 feed and get fresh
air and exercise. With one of its windows
left open so that they can all go out at the
same place, an observer can easily do this
by taking a position from which he can
readily see the open window. The start is
made shortly after sunset. only few flying
out at first In a few minutes others come.
and soon others, and the flow becomes con-
tinuous and the stream increases ia volume
until il completely fills the window opening.
and 1t keeps the opening filled for fully an
hour.
In their fight from the building they
spread out to the width of fifty yards or
more. and soon form N dark belt OF moving
life extending over the lake as far as the
sight can reach. The discharge of a shotgun
into this flying mass will bring down fully
half a barrel OF dead bats.
During the night they fly about over the
lake and bordering lowlarfds feeding on In
sects that the region bountifully supplies
them, and return 10 their commodious apart
ment before daylight.
While clinging TO the walls OF the building
and to one another and especially when
they are aggregated in bunchy masses they
make a constant movement as II trying to
support themselves. and seem to be con-
SANITY moving among one another as bees
are when they mass I'm this way.
Why the animals have located here I'm such
masses Is not definitely settled. IL Is sup
posed, however, to have been due to their
having found unusually satisfactory ac-
commoda tions--the theater a comfortable
daylight home and an abundance of savory
food. They are gregarious animals, but such
an accumulation of them as that found at
certainly very unusual IL not an unheard
Of