142 CHEIROPTERA. 



The Hoary Bat, Lasmms cincrciis, is common in the Rocky Moun- 

 tains. The ear is large, but shorter than the head ; the tragus obtuse 

 and bow-shaped. The nostrils are wide apart, the canine teeth large, 

 and there is only one incisor on each side. Its fur is long and of a 

 black-brown at the base, then of a brownish-yellow, then blackish, then 

 white, and from the mixture of these tints is derived its name. It is 

 nearly four and a half inches long — that is, it is nearly twice the size 

 of the New York Bat, with which it has much affinity. 



GENUS PLECOTUS. 



The Long-eared Bat, P/a-otus nuritus, derives its name from its 

 highly developed ears. These appendages are nearly as long as the 

 whole body, and are remarkable for their transparency. The wearer 

 has the strange power of contracting and expanding his ears, producing 

 sometimes graceful folds and festoons, at other times a feathery appear- 

 ance. When flying they usually curve them backward, so that merely 

 the long, pointed tragus stands up. When it hangs itself up to sleep, it 

 covers its ears with the arms. 



The Long-eared Bat bears captivity better than most of his fellows, 

 can be easily tamed, and exhibits a very amiable disposition. The pris- 

 oners soon become bold and familiar; they arc yery cleanly, not only 

 cleaning themselves after their meals, but occasionally assisting each 

 other. They are playful and pretend to bite one another, but they never 

 harm their companions of the same species. 



GENUS SYNOTUS. 



This closely allied genus is one of the genera peculiar to the South- 

 eastern and Central States. It is characterized by very large ears, the 

 inner border of which continues as a nasal excrescence, and has no 

 tongue-shaped development, as in the genus Plccotus. 



The Big-eared Bat, Synotus macrotis, is found in the South Atlantic 

 States. It measures ten inches from wing-tip to wing-tip ; the hair is 

 long and fine, of a blackish-brown color. A very similar species, the 

 Synotus Toiviisoidii, is found on the L^pper Missouri. 



