60 ANIMAL LIFE IN THE YO SEMITE 



Compared even with the Large Brown Bat the present species stands 

 out as of very large size. As additional characters, it has long and pointed 

 wings and a swift and irregular flight. Usually it flies low among the 

 trees but sometimes courses up 25 to 30 feet above the ground. It appears 

 at about the same time in the evening as does the Large Brown Bat. One 

 Hoary Bat was shot at 7 :12 p.m., August 20, 1915, at Merced Lake. 



The Hoary Bat is known to be a definitely migratory species. In 

 winter it occupies the hills and valleys of California; in summer it goes 

 to the higher mountains or to more northern latitudes. Its seasonal move- 

 ments thus parallel those of some of our birds, the Audubon Warbler, for 

 instance. 



This bat is strictly solitary in its habits, and spends the day hanging 

 amid the foliage of some tree. Its heavj^ coat of fur, which extends out 

 onto the upper surface of the wings and clear over the tail membrane, is 

 an evident adaptation to the relatively low temperature of its alpine and 

 northern habitat, and to its solitary and open manner of 'roosting.' 



Pacific Pallid Bat. Antrozous pacificus Merriam 



Field characters. — Size large among the local bats; slightly smaller thau Hoary Bat, 

 several times size of Little California and Merriam bats. (See text fig. 7 and pi. 21.) 

 Total length 4-41/2 inches (103-118 mm.), tail 11/2-!% inches (36-46 mm.), hind foot 

 % inch or over (12-14 mm.), ear 1-1% inches (26-32 mm.), spread about 13-14 inches. 

 Coloration pale brown above, light buff beneath; flight membranes dark brown, ears and 

 muzzle light brown. 



Occurrence. — Common in Lower Sonoran Zone, at Snelling. Lives in buildings during 

 daytime, foraging abroad at late dusk. Hunts near the ground. Colonial. 



The Pacific Pallid Bat is a rather large-bodied bat with extremely large 

 ears. Its coloration as compared with that of the other local species is very 

 pale. It was found at only one station, Snelling, but may possibly occur 

 in portions of the adjacent foothill country, for it has been found in the 

 Upper Sonoran Zone in other parts of central California. This bat 

 appeared abroad in late May at about 7 :45 p.m. Some were seen to forage 

 on the leeward side of a row of cottonwoods near the Merced River. 



On the evening of May 27, 1915, some boys were found making an 

 effort to rid the village church in Snelling of a colony of pallid bats which 

 had taken possession of the wall of a gable. One of our party lent his 

 assistance in order to obtain some specimens. A trap of wire screen was 

 set up in front of the opening. At 6 :30 p.m. the bats had become active 

 within the walls and could be heard squeaking. The first individual 

 emerged at 7 :30, escaped the net and flew away. Another coming out soon 

 afterward likewise went free of the net, but then circled and alighted on 

 the side of the building. No more came out until 7 :40 ; then they began 



