I900.] Moffat. — The Habits of the Hairy-armed Bat. 239 



shows that they range some distance in quest of food. During 

 the late summer months the half-hour before retirement is 

 spent in careering about the field. Their fancy for cow- 

 pastures is a point to which I have previously drawn attention 

 (p. 162), and is doubtless explained by the presence of certain 

 species of insects in such localities. 



My captive, whom I fed exclusively on insects for a week, 

 refused various house-flies, as well as the blue-bottle {Calliphora 

 erythrocephald), common crane-fly (Tipula oleracea), and horse- 

 fly {Hcematopota pluvialis)y but enjoyed the common Volucella. 

 She partook with relish of the honey-bee {Apis 77iellifica), and 

 of five species of wasp ( Vespa vulgaris , V. ger^nariica, V. rufa, 

 V. sylvestris, ^ and V. 7iorvegica). A humble-bee {Bombus 

 terrestris) and red-tailed bee {B. lapidaritcs) were eaten, but 

 subsequent specimens of B. terrestris were declined. The only 

 coleoptera ofi"ered, a few small scatophagous beetles, were 

 promptly devoured. Above all, she evinced an extraordinary 

 partiality for the common cockroach {Blatta oriefitalis). This 

 ^vas a highly convenient taste, since it could be gratified at the 

 most unearthly hours, and at such hours did her ladyship, 

 who lived in a box in my bed-room, frequently wake me with 

 orders to fetch her something immediately from the kitchen ! 

 She has eaten nearly a third of her weight in cockroaches in 

 one night 



Next to the cockroach, I think her favourite food (among 

 the insects ofiered) was the honey-bee, when dead ; but she 

 showed the greatest horror when I offered her a living bee, 

 though I held it securely in my hand, and had previously 

 extracted its sting. This was no mere accident, for the 

 experiment was repeated on successive days. In two instances 

 she managed, apparently by a sudden *' flick" of her tongue, to 

 throw the bee to a distance. At first I was surprised that this 

 nocturnal mammal should so well comprehend the offensive 

 capabilities of a day-flying insect ; but when we remember the 

 common propensity of both Vespericgo Leisleri and Apis 

 mellifica to take up their abode in hollow trees, it is at once 

 seen to be quite natural that they should know something of 

 each other's powers. The identical ash-tree in which the 

 Hairy-armed Bats now under notice reside has often been 

 occupied by bee-swarms. 



