Folio 51v - the bat, continued. [De gragulo]; Of the jay

Folio 52r - the jay, continued.

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COMMENTARY

Text

The bat. The jay, a talkative bird.

Illustration

Portrait of the bat.

Comment

Compared with many other bestiary illustrations, this is a fairly accurate ventral view of a bat whose wings are shown as a membrane stretching from its three fingers down to its toes and tail. Its furry face has the typically uncanny human look. The artist has realised that the flight membrane joins the fingers, legs and tail even though there should be five fingers with four supporting the wing. It is classified as a bird because of its wings rather than as a mammal because of its fur. The bat has been pricked for pouncing. The illustration of the jackdaw has been excised.

COMMENTARY

Text

The jay, a chattering bird. Some men are not suited to be monks.