BATMAN

Merlin Tuttle, the ``Batman'' subject of this brief biography, dates his enthusiasm for biology to capturing a toad at the age of two. At nine he was keeping a notebook of his wildlife observations and memorizing the scientific names of all the mammals of California. Bat advocate, photographer, researcher, author, and founder of Bat Conservation International, Dr. Tuttle is an excellent example of a contemporary working scientist. Pringles includes fascinating tidbits about bats and their importance to the balance of nature; Tuttle's close-up color photos are stunning. Further reading; index.~(Nonfiction. 10-12)