CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 495 



having lain perfectly torpid since the preceding December. 

 Feeds, as does all the tribe, exclusively on insects, and probably 

 devours more than even the fly-catching birds." 



A. cinerea, Beauv. ( Vespertilio pruinotus, Say.) Hoary Bat. 



Color rich chocolate brown, overlaid with white ; lips and ears 

 marked with black. Spread of wing, 14 inches; length, 5 inches. 



" Not very abundant. First seen in May, having, like the 

 preceding, been torpid during the winter. More generally met 

 with hovering over creeks and about woods, than in the open 

 country or in the city. Perfectly inoffensive." 



VESPERTILIO, Linn. 



(Scotophilus, Leach.) 



V. fuscus, Beauv. ( Vesperugo, Keys. & Bl., serotimis, Schreb.), var. caro- 

 linensis, Geof. Carolina Bat. Dusky Bat. Long-eared Bat. 



Wings naked ; ears more or less turned outward ; upper lateral 

 incisors scarcely visible. 32 teeth. Spread of wing, 12 inches; 

 length, 3 to 4 inches. 



" Quite common. Common in cities, and not unfrequently 

 flies into houses, probably in pursuit of common house flies. 

 More frequently seen during the day than the preceding." 



V. fuscus, var. fuscus, Beauv. Brown Bat. 



" Common. Is probably only a variety of the preceding, and 

 in all respects appears the same in its habits." 



V. noctivagans, Le C. (Vesperugo.) Silver-black Bat. 



Fur long, silky, black, with silvery tips. Spread of wing, 12 

 inches; length, 3J inches. 36 teeth. 



" Not common. Have met with but few, in a very large col- 

 lection, made during three summers." [C. C. A.] 



V. subulatus, Say. (lucifugus, Le C.) Little Brown Bat. 



Face small, fox-like, high forehead, pointed snout ; ears large, 

 oval ; wings naked ; face whiskered. 38 teeth. Spread of 

 wings, 9 inches ; length, 3 inches. A variable species. 



" Most abundant of all the species, and is everywhere to be 

 met with throughout the State. Appear about the first of May, 

 and as soon as it is dusk, commence a flight that lasts the greater 

 part of the night, killing in the time an incredible number of 

 insects. During the day they sleep, hanging to the small twig 



