43 



Mammals of the Rochester District. 



THIS list is fairly exhaustive if we make allowance for the absence 

 of the greater number of the members of the Cetacea. Out of 

 20 British Species of these here are included only 3, which come 

 up the Thames and Medwa}^ though probably others come up 

 occasionally. Neglecting those whose size and mode of living pre- 

 vents their coming so far inland, our percentage of British Mammals 

 is something near 30. 



Rhinolophus ferruni-equijunn (Greater Horse-shoe Bat). — " Old build- 

 ings such as Rochester Castle and Chalk Church " (History 

 of the County of Kent). 



Barbastella barbasteUus (Barbastelle). — Allington, etc. Specimen in 

 Maidstone Museum. (Hist, of Count}^ of Kent). 



Vespertilio serotbms (Serotine). — This is often mistaken for the Great 

 Bat and is probably not very uncommon. 



Pipistrelhis pipistrellus (Flitter Mouse). — Common. (Coles-Finch). 

 ,, nocfula (Great Bat). Flies high and with great speed. 



Plecotus auritus (Long Eared Bat). — (Coles-Finch). 



Efinaceus enropmis (Hedgehog). — Hedges, thickets, etc. Fairly com- 

 mon. 



Sorex araneus (Common Shrew).— Old walls, grassy banks, etc. 

 ,, miniitus (Pigmy Shrew). — Cobham, etc. 



Talpa europcea (Mole). — Common. Colour variable from black to 

 yellowish white. One almost white found near Bredhurst 

 on a R.N.C. Excursion. An insatiable feeder on worms. 



Meles taxtcs (Badger) — Some years ago a pair inhabited Round Wood, 

 Higham. Bridge Woods ; killed by Keeper quite recentl5^ 

 Seen by Mr, Coles-Finch, Formerly plentiful in Upnor. 



Vulpes vulpcs (Fox). — Fairly common in woods ; protected for " sport." 



Lutra vuloaris (Otter). — Medway, near Maidstone, etc. Eamb and 

 "Rev. C. H. Fielding. 



Mustela ( Putorius) vulgaris (Weasel), — Not uncommon. Sometimes 

 changes to white in Winter, These appear to be the M. 

 nivalis of Linnaeus. 

 „ ( Ptitorius) eryninea (Ermine. Stoat). — Not uncommon in woods. 



Maries sylvatica (Yellow-breasted Martin). — Formerly not uncommon 

 in woods (Luddesdown) and in Red Wood, Bush. Now 

 apparently extinct. Lord Clifton, etc. See " Rochester 

 Naturalist," vol I. p. 41. 

 ,, Jure (Ferret) Albino van oi Polecat. — One caught in Lord's- wood 

 Lane; one shot in Rainham Park Wood (1882), another 

 seen. 



