MACROTUS. 



Macrotus califoruicus, Baird. 

 Fig. 2. Fig. 3. 



,^ 



Macrotus californicus, Baird, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phila. 1858, 117. — Ib. 

 Rep. U. S. and Mex. Bound. Surv. II, 1859, Mammals, p. 4, pi. i, fig. 2. 



Description. — Head long. Face bairy. Eyes rather large, 

 almond-shaped. Nose leaf acuminate, higher than broad, its nar- 

 row nostrils placed in its base obliquely. Ears very large, united 

 over the head by an incised, transverse membrane ; they are oval 

 and slightly hairy. Tragus not quite half as high as the auricle ; 

 lanceolate straight on outer border, where at base there is an 

 abrupt increase in width with a slight revolution posteriorly ; 

 inner border not thickened, the upper half concave, lower half 

 convex. Lower lip cleft, shield triangular acute. Thumb slen- 

 der, long ; basal joint shortest. Tail produced two lines beyond 

 tlie interfemoral mera^jrane. The calcaneum large. Wing mem- 

 brane extends to ankle ; in some specimens it seems to arise by a 

 slight attachment from the calcaneum in the same manner as in 

 the genus Natalus. Foot moderate, with short compressed hairs 

 on upper surface, claws rather large. 



The fur is indistinctly tricolored. Above, base white, terminal 

 third fawn, its tip gray. Below, base likewise white, terminal 

 third fawn, its tip white — thus giving the fur a grizzled, wavy 

 a}»pearance. The hair about the face is shorter and more inclined 

 to brown. Immediately behind the junction of the ears the head 

 is almost naked. The basal portions of the ears have growths of 

 hair upon them which may be contiguous in the living animal. 



This species is closely related to M. waterhousii, Gray, of 

 Cuba, Hayti, and other West Indian Islands ; but a comparison 



