Florida Free-Tailed Bat ; Common Bats 



In tropical America they are numerous, and feed mainly upon 

 fruit, as does the present species; two species, however, suck 

 blood from living animals, and concerning them many fanciful 

 stones have been written. 



FREE- TAILED BATS 



(Family Noctilionidtz) 



Florida Free-Tailed Bat 



Nyctinonius cynocephalus (Le Conte) 



Length. 2.50. 



Description. Ears nearly united on top of the head, sides of the 

 snout with deep wrinkles, short spines on the muzzle and on 

 the outside of the ear. Colour, plumbeous or dusky brown, 

 fur whitish at the base. 



Range. South Atlantic and Gulf- states. 



Habits apparently similar to the bats of the next family. 



Common Bats 



(Family VespertilionidiE) 



The bats of this family, found in the eastern United States, 

 may be distinguished as follows : 



A. EARS VERY LARGE, JOINED TOGETHER BY THEIR BASES IN FRONT. 



Big-eared Bat. 



B. EARS MODERATE, NOT JOINED TOGETHER IN FRONT. 



I. Interfemoral membrane covered completely with fur on the 

 upper side, uniform with the back. Red Bat and Hoary Bat. 

 I,'. Interfemoral membrane naked or only sparsely haired, near 

 the base. 



1. Fur black, with silvery white tips. Stiver-haired Bat. 



2. Fur light, yellowish brown, banded or mottled with 



dusky. Pipistrelle and Leather-winged Bat. 



}. Fur dark, glossy brown, not mottled. Big Brown Bat, 



Little Brown Bat and Twilight Bat. 



195 



