The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-27
Nature LOVERS
Little Corner
nN a. UNDI.IsrUDN.

II happened one night recently in "A
certain suburban village less than a
dozen miles from Richmond. as il fire.
quently does in small village and
country churches that company of
bats. attracted by the lights doubtless.
! arrived at the place Of prayer a little
ahead Of the worshipping congrega-
tlon. This particular congregation,
mainly females, was composed of un-
usually brave individuals. for only two
Of the ladies found il necessary TO
leave. All through the service the pco-
pie were surrounded by swift, per-
petual motion, yet not producing a
single sound. After the prayer meet
Ing service everybody was discussing
the leather winged bats. How did they
get in? How could they get out again?
Perhaps If more was known about
bats generally these questions might
be satisfactorily answered.
Bats are excellent subjects for
original investigation. and keen-eyed
boys and girls everywhere should
know that little is known concerning
their habits. nd much remains 10 be
found out. We know that il is true
mammal. though strange, wing
handed, flying creature: an insect de-
stroyer: that its favorite position at
rest is hanging by its feet. head down
ward; that some species live in caves
in scmidormant condition. Their
noctural habits make them difficult TO
observe. so that many natural ques-
tions remain unanswered, such as:
What is the bats place in nature?
Upon what do they feed? Are they
useful or injurious to man? What are
their friends and cnemiesr Do they
migrate. and when? Do they nest. and
where take shelter? What are the
facts about their young? The leather
winged bat is an interesting study in
that it is yet but partially explored
territory.
or course, ever since the fairs
closed last fall preparations OF a kind
have been under way for those of 1919
Right now is e very important time to
the poultry exhibitor. Some excellent
! hints i'll this line are being given in
the agricultural journals. from one OF
which. tho southern Planter, I shall
summarize:
Those who intend to exhibit poultry
at the fall shows should begin study
ing their flock. picking out the best
/ specimens and getting them in as good
condition as possible.
"A little early attention will do more
to put tho old birds in show condition
/ than all the efforts that may be made
just before they are exhibited. The
young chicks that look promising
should be thoroughly examined for de-
/ fccts.
| 1T is very disappointing to have an
apparently fine bird disqualified for
some overlooked defect. 1t is cheaper
and less notifying to find the defect
and Gull out the bird at home than to
leave II for tho Judge to do in the
| showroom.
Another very important item which
receives too little attention is the train
ing of the birds. 1t is at least the
kind thing to do, in saving both the
| judge and the bird unpleasant expert
! ence. or course. those birds that are
, brought right from the range to the
| showroom will be frightened by the
confusion of sounds, by the crowds. by
the handling and strange environment
| The bird that has been coopcd and
become accustomed to handling and
posing will have all the advantage.
! for he Will act his best before tho