Irish Bats. 7 1 



The three members of the genus Vespertilio are all rare in 

 Ireland ; the Whiskered Bat ( Vespertilio mystacinus) and the 

 Reddish-grey Bat ( V. Nattereri) inhabit houses, trees, and 

 caves in England. Daubenton's Bat ( V. Daubentonii) is also 

 rare ; it frequents the vicinity of water, and is likely to be 

 found in old water-mills and bridges. This species skims along 

 over the surface of the water, like a swallow, in pursuit of 

 small insects. 



The L,ong-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus) is common, and 

 inhabits the roofs of houses and other buildings. 



The last species, the Lesser Horse-shoe Bat (Rhiuolophus 

 kipposidcros) is a cave dweller ; it is rare and local in Ireland ; 

 the limestone caves of the West should be well explored for 

 this species. 



Specimens when procured, if alive, should be sent by rail, 

 labelled perishable ; if dead they can be sent by parcel post, but 

 it is preferable to send by rail. The locality, situation, date, and 

 name and address of sender should accompany each consign- 

 ment of specimens. It is much better in most cases to put 

 the specimens as they are captured into spirits, than to send 

 single specimens by post in small packages ; the tubes or 

 bottles containing the spirit specimens can be sent then in a 

 larger parcel by rail, or they can be taken out of spirits and 

 sent safely in a tin box. The full data should be attached to 

 each specimen when put in spirits, otherwise confusion may 

 arise. If senders desire, I will present specimens forwarded 

 to me for identification to the Science and Art Museum, 

 Dublin, in sender's name. 



It cannot be made too plain that it is impossible to identify 

 Bats (except one or two species), without books and specimens 

 for comparison ; to senders who wish to make a collection, I 

 will gladly return specimens when identified. I will willingly 

 furnish any further particulars as to collecting and preserving 

 to those who communicate with me. Tubes for spirit 

 specimens can be had from Mr. Marsden, Bath. 



There exists a strange idea that bats are noxious animals. 

 It is needless to say that our Irish species are perfectly harm- 

 less ; not one of them can inflict a bite sufficient to pierce the 

 skin. 



Killencoole, Castlebellingliam. 



