Counties of Aberdeen^ Banff^ and Kincardine. 385 



1. Vespertilio Datibentonii.'—Davhenton's Bat. 



Ears ovate, obtuse, one-third shorter than the head, deeply sinuate on 

 the outer margin, and having at the base a small rounded opercular 

 lobe, convex on the inner margin ; tragus nearly half the length of the 

 ear, narrow, tapering, rather acute, slightly incurved, and having a small 

 angular lobe at the base externally ; cheeks tumid ; space about the eyes 

 rather bare ; a small tubercle bearing a tuft of long hairs before the eyes ; 

 fur rather long, dense, soft, dull reddish-brown above, light brownish- 

 grey beneath. Young, dusky above, dull grey beneath. 



In seventj'^-two individuals examined, there were scarcely any varia;- 

 tions in colour. Some were slightly lighter or browner above, some 

 brownish-grey, silvery-grey, or light-grey beneatli. In some the hair 

 was longer, in some finer and more glossy. The tragus varied consider- 

 ably in form ; in some it was almost straight, in some with a sinus or 

 slight notch near the end externally ; in all the point tapering, but in 

 some more obtuse than in others, never blunt and rounded, nor ever 

 quite acute. In some the interfemoral membrane light-grey, almost 

 whitish, in others dusky. The soles dusky flesh colour, lighter or 

 darker. 



This species is distinguished from the Pipistrelle Bat by its larger 

 size and different proportions, but especially by the form of the 

 tragus, which is much narrower, and not rounded at the end, but 

 tapering to a rather obtuse point, Its hind feet are also much 

 larger. 



It is very abundant about Old Aberdeen, and is found in great 

 numbers in Old Machar Cathedral, where its slumbers have not 

 been much disturbed until recently. They retire for the season 

 from the middle of October to the end of November, according to 

 the temperature. In the winter of 1842, I have seen them flying 

 so late as the middle of December. In spring, they sometimes ap- 

 pear by the end of February, generally about the middle of March. 



On the 20th September 1841, accompanied by two young friends, 

 I ascended one of the steeples of the Cathedral to make search for 

 bats, which were represented as being of frequent occurrence in 

 various parts of the building. Mr Thomas Spiith, one of my com- 

 panions, having apprised us of a favourable place under the roof, we 

 slipped over the bartisan upon the slates, and obtained ingress. 

 The beams, placed at a considerable distance from each other, with 

 the intervening spaces occupied by very thin boards, afforded rather 

 dangerous footing ; but, having lighted our candles, we proceeded 

 cautiously. Having advanced a considerable way into the dark 

 space, my companions ascended upon the cross-beams, when one of 

 them, my son, discovered a conglomeration of bats, clinging to the 

 roof and to each other, and Mr Smith found another not three feet 

 distant. They presented a very singular appearance, as they stuck 

 together like clusters of bees, and excited the admiration of us all. 

 A very large proportion was consigned to two handkerchiefs ; but 

 probably a third at least escaped. A smaller group, of about ten 

 individuals, was afterwards discovered by me, and secured by Mr 

 Smith. In this part of the building quantities of their dung, 



