HIBER- 

 NATION 



Little Brown-bat 1161 



One living specimen had a drop of prussic acid placed on its 

 tongue, and was some time dying. Meantime, its parasites 

 (all Bats are much afflicted with fleas and lice) dropped off 

 dead from the poisoned blood." 



With flight equal to that of birds, why should not these in- migra- 

 sect-eaters migrate when cold weather cuts off the food supply ? and 



Such light as we have indicates that all of our 6 species of 

 Bats are migratory, and yet hibernate. If we divide the range 

 of the present species in 3 equal parts along the lines of 

 equal temperature, we shall find that in summer the bulk of it 

 is in the middle and north parts; in winter, is found in the 

 south and middle parts; and, wherever it is, the individuals 

 hibernate during frosty weather, but are always ready to come 

 forth from cave and hollow tree and resume active life as soon 

 and so long as the temperature permits. 



Instances of this I noted at Wyndygoul Park in the fall of 

 1908. One or two small Bats were about each night after 

 sundown through September and early October. In the mid- 

 dle of the latter month were two or three frosty nights, during 

 which no Bats were seen. On the i6th the weather was warm 

 again and I saw a small Bat on the wing; another on October 

 18; none afterwards. This, it seems to me, almost proves that 

 these Bats went into a temporary cold-sleep during the frosty 

 spell, but took advantage of the later warm days to migrate 

 southwards, since they are not known to torpify for all winter. 



From the nature of their haunts, the Bats have little to enemies 

 fear from larger enemies by day, and through the power of their 

 flight they are safe from most flyers by night. The fact that 

 bat-remains have been found in owl-pellets is of sinister signifi- 

 cation, but must have been exceptional, for I should as soon 

 expect a Bear to catch a Jack-rabbit as an owl to capture a Bat 

 in open space. 



The worst known enemies of the group are undoubtedly 

 fur-lice. Dr. Harrison Allen remarks:"' 



" Monog. Bats. N. A., 1864, p. xxi. 



