on!" said the doctor. "I've got a new one, and
you are quite welcome to this."

THIRD READER. 95
13. "Am I? May I? Oh! thank you!" And with what a
different feeling he kept it from that which he had
experienced for a week!

LESSON XXXVII.

BATS.
1. Bats are very strange little animals, having hair like
mice, and wings like birds. During the day, they live in
crevices of rocks, in caves, and in other dark places.
2. At night, they go forth in search of food; and, no doubt,
you have seen them flying

96 ECLECTIC SERIES.
about, catching such insects as happen to be out rather late at
night.
3. The wings of a bat have no quills. They are only thin
pieces of skin stretched upon a framework of bones. Besides
this, it may be said that while he is a quadruped, he can rise
into the air and fly from place to place like a bird.
4. There is a funny fable about the bat, founded upon this
double character of beast and bird, which I will tell you.
5. An owl was once prowling about, when he came across
a bat. So he caught him in his claws, and was about to
devour him. Upon this, the bat began to squeal terribly; and
he said to the owl, "Pray, what do you take me for, that you
use me thus?"
6. "Why, you are a bird, to be sure," said the owl, "and I
am fond of birds. I love dearly to break their little bones."
7. "Well," said the bat, "I thought there was some mistake.
I am no bird. Do n't you see, Mr. Owl, that I have no
feathers, and that I am covered with hair like a mouse?"
8. "Sure enough," said the owl, in great surprise; "I see it
now. Really, I took you

THIRD READER. 97
for a bird, but it appears you are only a kind of mouse. I ate a
mouse last night, and it gave me the nightmare. I can't bear
mice! Bah! it makes me sick to think of it." So the owl let the
bat go.

9. The very next night, the bat encountered another
danger. He was snapped up by puss, who took him for a
mouse, and immediately prepared to eat him.
10. "I beg you to stop one moment," said the bat. "Pray,
Miss Puss, what do you suppose I am?" "A mouse, to be
sure!" said the cat. "Not at all," said the bat, spreading his
long wings.
11. "Sure enough," said the cat: "you seem to be a bird,
though your feathers are
3,7.

98 ECLECTIC SERIES.
not very fine. I eat birds sometimes, but I am tired of them
just now, having lately devoured four young robins; so you
may go. But, bird or mouse, it will be your best policy to
keep out of my way her