1901. Alcock & Moffat. — The Long- eared Bat. 245 



in at 12 o'clock, then shutting the door and lighting a candle 

 in the conservatory, the fact of its being Plecotus aiiritus was 

 clearly ascertained. The identification at 1.30 a.m. was 

 effected in the same manner. Both observations were made 

 during the third week of August, when the duration of night 

 in the south of Ireland is between nine and ten hours. 



As a rule, this species probably retires very early in the 

 morning, since few are seen at that time. Of some that were 

 watched flying about a group of Ash-trees on the morning of 

 June 9th, 1901, the latest disappeared from view sixty-eight 

 minutes before sunrise. We have occasionally recognised 

 stragglers later — up to about forty-five minutes before sun- 

 rise — but the majority seem to seek their hiding-places while 

 the morning light is still dim. 



The present is thus a typically nocturnal bat, while the 

 Hairy- armed Bat is essentially crepuscular, the habits of the 

 two types being very distinct in this respect. 



Like all our bats, this species -sleeps during winter. The 

 earliest date on which we saw it flying in 1900 was April 18th ; 

 the earliest in 1901, April 13th. In both instances it was 

 observed hovering about a small willow-tree, which at the time 

 was in flower. 



In autumn there are repeated records of its capture in 

 November ; one sent to Mr. Barrington had been caught at 

 the Tearaght Lighthouse on November 17th, 1891. There is, 

 however, a dearth of available data as to the time at which 

 hibernation normally commences. By the middle of October 

 the bats have ceased to frequent the Ash-trees at Ballyhyland, 

 but this may be due to other causes than the commencement 

 of hibernation. On the other hand, the occurrence of in- 

 dividuals in November affords no proof that torpidity has not 

 commenced ; for the winter-sleep of the Long-eared Bat — 

 despite some statements to the contrary — is liable to be broken 

 at all seasons by a moderate degree of warmth. Some evidence 

 on this subject may be presented here. 



On December 21st, 1900, a bat of this species was found 

 hibernating at Ballyhyland, in a convenient position for ob- 

 servation in situ. The sleeping-place was a hole in a Beech- 

 tree, 5^ feet above the ground. On the insertion of a finger 

 the Bat snarled savagely enough ; but when let alone it soon 

 relapsed into an apparently profound slumber. 



