222 Transactions. — Zoology. 



the spot they found that ckisters of them were still clinging to 

 the branches. They collected about thirty, and could have 

 obtained very many more had they wished. They did not 

 notice that the tree was hollow, and were of opinion that the 

 bats were simply sheltered by the overhanging creepers and 

 epiphytes. 



Being anxious to see how they would behave in a room, I 

 closed the doors and windows and liberated them. They 

 took to their wings at once, and commenced to circle round 

 the room with that quick, soft, and noiseless flight which is 

 always so noticeable. The presence of full daylight did not 

 affect them in the slightest degree, for they never made a mis- 

 take in estimating their distance from an object. They circled 

 round the room, flying in and out of the corners, skimming 

 just below the ceiling, and hovering over the furniture, but 

 never came into contact with anything. It is worth mention 

 that they did not dash themselves against the window-panes, 

 as a number of birds would have done under similar circum- 

 stances, but treated the glass in precisely the same manner as 

 the walls of the room. This fact lends support to the view 

 now generally adopted that much of the power possessed by 

 bats of directing their flight in complete darkness or strong 

 sunlight is due to an exceptional development of the sense of 

 touch, residing specially in the great membranous expanse of 

 the wings. After satisfying themselves that there was no 

 mode of escape from the room they commenced to settle down 

 on the tops of the architraves of the doors and windows, 

 hanging head downwards by the claws of their hind legs. 

 They ultimately collected into little clusters of four or five, 

 cuddling quite close to one another, and were " then easily 

 caught and transferred to their cage. 



The above facts will make it quite clear that our bats 

 are by no means solitary in their habits, but dwell to- 

 gether in communities, often numbering several hundreds, 

 and usually occupying the hollow interior of some aged forest- 

 tree. 



Postscript. — Since the above was written I have seen 

 Sir W. L. Buller's paper on the same subject, printed in 

 vol. XXV. of the Transactions. I am glad to notice that 

 the evidence he has collected is quite in accordance with 

 the facts given above. 



