CHIKOPTEEA VESPERTILION1DJ3 ANTKOZOUS PALL1DUS. 85 



ANTEOZOUS PALLIDUS, (LcC.) Allen 



The Pale Bat. 



Vespertilio pallldus, LECONTE, Proc. Acad. Phila,, 1855, 43. BAIBD, Mex. B. Sun., 



ii, pt. ii, 1S59, pi. 1, f. 1. 

 Antrozous pallidus, ALLEN, Monog., 68. COUES, Am. Nat., 18G7, 283. 



Specimens. 



CHAR. Ears ample, elliptical, with strongly convex inner border ; outer border 

 ending remote from angle of mouth ; furred at base behind and slightly on both 

 sides of inner border. TragUs half as high as auricle, lanceolate, nearly straight on 

 anterior border, enlarged and creuuhite posteriorly, A wart over the eye, under the 

 jaw, and behind angle of mouth. Interfemoral membrane naked; base of thumb 

 slightly hairy. Colors yellowish-brown or fawn, even pale reddish-brown. Naked 

 muzzle livid. Nose to end of tail, 3| 4; expanse, 10J-1H; tail. l|-2; fore-arm, about 

 2 ; shin, -; longest finger, 3-3 ; ear, |-1^. 



HAB. Originally described from "California." The known range of this species 

 has since been extended through Arizona and New Mexico to Texas ; also, down the 

 coast to Cape Saint Lucas and up to Oregon. 



The only record of the habits of this peculiar bat of which we are aware 

 is that given by Dr. Coues in the American Naturalist, as above quoted, 

 he having observed it during his stay at Fort Yuma in 1865 : " This species 

 is very abundant at Fort Yuma, where, during the hot months, it becomes 

 a decided nuisance. Numbers take up their abode in the chinks and crannies 

 of the officers' quarters ; and the proximity of these retreats actually becomes 

 offensive from the multitudes crowded together. During the daytime, a 

 continual scratching and squeaking, as of so many mice, is heard in their 

 snuggeries ; and, at night, they are even more annoying, fluttering by scores 

 about the rooms. They are accused of harboring bed-bugs about their 

 bodies, whether justly or not I cannot say. When caught or disabled, they 

 have a harsh squeak, and, if incautiously handled, bite with vigor and con- 

 siderable effect. This bat, as its name indicates, is much lighter in color 



