CHIROPTERA VESPERTILIONIIL^E VESPERTILIO NOCTIVAGANS. 95 



This species, apparently quite distinct, is only known by Dr. Allen's 

 description. It is stated to resemble V. pipistrellus of Europe in general 

 external characters, but to differ in color, corresponding in some respects, 

 as of size and shape of ear, with F. alcytlioii and F. aristippe of Europe ; it 

 differs from these in having one more upper molar. 



VESPERTILIO (VESPERIDES) NOCTIVAGANS LeC. 



Silver-Black Bat. 



Vcspertilio noctivagans, LECoNTE, McMnrtrie's Cuv., i, 1831, 31. COOPER, Ann. Lye. 



N. Y , iv, 1837, 59. DEKAY, Nat. Hist. N. Y., 1842, 9, pi. 1, f. 1. WAGN., 



Suppl. Schreb., v, 1855, 754. 

 Scotophilus noctu-agans, ALLEN, Monog., 39. J. A. ALLEN, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., 



xvii, 1874. 

 Vespertilio auduboni, HARLAN, Month. Am. Journ., i, 1831, 220, pi. 2; Mecl. & Pliys 



Res., 1835, 30, pi. 4. 

 Vcspertilio pulverulentus, TEAIM., Mon. Mauira., ii, 1835, 235. LECONTE, Proc. Pbila. 



Acad., 1855, 435. MAXIM., Arch. Naturg., 1801, 192. 



55 

 CHAKS. Molars, ~'; teeth 30 in all (only species with this total); central upper 



incisors bicuspid. Skull flat, not crested ; two shallow depressions anteriorly. Base 

 of foot without the rounded lateral swelling of Vcsperus. Tragus very short, broad, 

 and blunt, angularly convex along outer border, hardly or not J as high as amide. 

 Ear irregularly oval ; inner border running upward and inward to level of head, then 

 upward and outward, ending obtusely. Outer border below folded irregularly, bend- 

 ing inward so as to touch the tragus. Snout naked ; nostrils wide apart, opening sub- 

 laterally; space between emarginate. Femoral membrane entirely, though scantily, 

 furry on dorsal surface, with numerous minute tufts arranged linearly on ventral sur- 

 face. Thumb small, slightly furry. Fur long and silky, black, or nearly so; the ends 

 of the hairs usually white or whitish, giving a peculiar powdery aspect; sometimes 

 entirely black. Length, 3; extent, 12; tail, 1^-1 ; shin, ; arm, 1A ; longest finger, 

 2^-; thumb, - i; ear, i; tragus, about i. 

 HAB. North America. 



The peculiar dentition and the remarkable coloration will prevent any 

 misconception respecting this bat, which is said to be nearly related to V. 

 discolor, a European species. Although Dr. Allen gives its habitat as Atlantic 

 coast to the Rocky Mountains, yet he quotes Pacific-coast specimens, and 

 it seems to be no exception to the general rule in the family of general and 

 extensive dispersion. Mr. J. A. Allen gives it as rather common in Massa- 

 chusetts. 



