The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1908-11-05
BATS AS PETS.
Their Gentle and Affectionate Dispesl.
ton Misunderstood.

Ms FL -+NE2E&RtN
From the technical World Magazine.
"A bat In q woman's bedroom ia
cause more excitement than can one
lone burglar osgevenga dozen mice. AS
the strange creature Of the night comes
Tipping n Tapping against the walls
and ceilings such shrieks are ELECTED
from the terrified female as to ous
the whole family and bring them to
the rescue with brooms n canes.
All OF which Is sheer foolishness, for
IL h would but give him a chance
the bat could prove to her entire sat-
isfaction that he is an Intelligent and
aIniable creature and not unworthy of
a permanent place in the household.
Yes. the detested bat makes a most
agreeable household pet.
He is a most affectionate creature
and will attack himself to a person as
does a kindly n intelligent dog. A
college professor says: When I was a
student at the university I had two
bats, which came and went freely Of
their own accord. In the evening they
were wont to rush through the win
dow into the neighboring garden, hunt
insects, and when their hunger was
appeased they would return to my
room. They slept on q book shelf,
where they suspended themselves from
a dictionary. At the present time I
possess a bat that shows a touching
attachment to my person n follows
~ ooOoN Il1iob6A lllG O0AllS VI IA
house. If I call IT."
RMS last statement seems to be UNI
questionable testimony In favor Of the
theory that the ear OF the bat is not
only susceptible to high and shrin
sounds, but also for he lower sounds
1T is called, the creature evidently is
able to distinguish different shades
n accents.
advocate of bats as pets further
states hat when he talks pleasantly to
1T his present fayorite raises and low
ers Its ears, much after the manner
of G horse, blinks its eyes in a con
tented fashion, ticks its nozzle with its
tongue, and, in general disports itself
in a that indicates it Is pleased
and contented. When harshly spoken
to, 1t lays back It's ears, shrinks away,
curtain.
The proprietor OF this bat adds:
When I sit by lamplight In the morn
ing working at my desk I can hardly
get rid of it, It comes and goes, ramb-
ling about h desk or climbing up my
legs or else sits on the curtain and
e%ndeavors by violent shakings Of the
head and shrill twittering to excite my
attention n to obtain worms-its
usual food-thereby. Its appetite is
something %uncanny. Thirty fat worms
are readily taken at one meal"
49,
In passing an ordinance to prohibit
the sale Of Intoxicating liquors to alb
original Indians the legislature of Brit
ish Guiana has, like the governments
of Canada, New Zealand and Natal,
shown a wise consideration for the
welfare of the native population. A
curious exception, however, is made in
the case Of a native drink called "pi-
warrfe," which is a production OF the
cassava plant. It is permissible under
the ordinance for meetings to be held
for the consumption Of this beverage
in January, Jun and December; but
they can be attended only by aboriginal
Indians. Amy other person present is
liable to a n There is nothing In
the law to explain why this exemp-
ton has been made" says the Dundee
Advertiser. but doubtless the native
who Graves for strong drink will APP
preciate the opportunities offered and
will 'pfwarrie' in haste. knowing that
he will have full leisure In which to
repent"