October, 1900.J 235 



THE HABITS OF THE HAIRY- ARMED BAT, 



Ve:SPKRUGO LKISI.KRI, KUHI,. 

 BY C. B. MOFFAT. 



In the Irish Nahiralist for June of this year (p. 162) I stated 

 that the bat which forms the subject of the present paper 

 frequented a certain pasture-field at Ballyhyland, and that I 

 had some hopes of finding its sleeping-place there, and of 

 obtaining a specimen which would add it without doubt to the 

 Wexford fauna. These objects have since been accomplished ; 

 and I have succeeded in learning some facts relating to the 

 animal's mode of life, which call for a somewhat detailed 

 record. 



All excellent account of this animal's general characteristics 

 was given by Dr. Alcock in his valuable paper in the Irish 

 Naturalist for August, 1899 (vol. viii., p. 172). It is the largest 

 of Irish bats, specimens weighing from 220 to 310 grains 

 whilst the common Pipistrelle, in my experience, weighs 

 from 70 to 90, and the I^ong-eared Bat from 100 to 130 grains. 

 It flies early"", high in the air ; its voice is powerful and shrill ; 

 and its habit of constantly screeching in certain spots is apt 

 to betray its presence. Its exact periods of flight and repose 

 have hitherto not been investigated, and on this point Dr. 

 Alcock expresses himself wdth scientific caution : — ** As far 

 as I can ascertain — the point is difficult to determine — the 

 Hairy-armed Bat flies for about an hour, and then retires, not 

 to reappear till the next evening." 



For a mammal to enjoy so short a period of activity as this 

 would be very singular, and during a recent visit to Fassaroe 

 — a headquarters of Vesperugo Leisleri — I obtained evidence 

 that the flight is not so strictly limited, for on July 22nd I saw 

 several bats of this species flying in the early mor?iing : — the 

 first and last being noted respectively at 2.56 and 3.36 a.m., or 

 65 and 25 minutes before sunrise. That they were Hair>^- 

 armed Bats I was certain ; but specimens could not then be 

 procured. 



^ On August 8th Mr. James Kelly, herd at Ballyhyland, pointed one 

 out to me which he had observed on the wing at 7.30 p.m., 11 minutes 

 before sunset. 



