are much elongated, forming a frame work over which 

 extends a membrane which is attached to the sides as 

 well, and extends from the fore limbs to the hind 

 limbs. 



Bats are true mammals, being covered with soft 

 hair and possessing the thoracic mammary glands, 

 through which the young are nourished. The ears are 

 well developed and prominent. The number of sharp 

 teeth varies in a number of species. 



Bats should receive the kindly protection of man- 

 kind in general because most of them are beneficial. 

 That even the Vampire of the Tropics is not nearly so 

 formidable as it is reputed to be, the writer knows from 

 experience. 



There are possibly eight species of bats in Penn- 

 sylvania, representing a single family, Vespertilion- 

 idae. 



Common Brown Bat: Big Brown Bat 



Eptesicus fuscus fuscits 



The big brown bat is one of the commonest of 

 our Pennsylvania species. It is a dark brown or sepia 

 color above and the under parts are slightly paler. The 

 ears and membrane are blackish. The total length of 

 this species is about four and one-half inches. The tail 

 is almost two inches, being the same length as the fore 

 arm. 



Like all other native bats, the big brown bat is 

 insectivorous and it makes its appearance rather late in 

 the evening. It flies lower than the red bat and rests 

 during the day in houses, barns, on trees, or under the 

 eaves of a house. It is supposed to be migratory, and 



-v:>C 77 >-- 



