BRITISH BATS. 37 



from the pupa state in great numbers ; only the 

 soft abdomen of the insect was eaten, the horny 

 elytra and thorax being invariably rejected. These 

 insect-remains were to be found strewed about in 

 great numbers beneath the trees. 



The long-eared bat frequently loves to course to 

 and fro in lanes with a flickering, irregular flight, 

 and feeds in a great measure on the ghost moth 

 (Hepialus humuli), which, during the earlier part 

 of the summer, is numerous in such situations. 

 The voices of all the bats are singularly shrill in 

 character, and have a peculiar effect when several 

 individuals are darting about in company. In their 

 flight they evidently use the tail as a rudder to 

 steer by, being enabled by its use to turn them- 

 selves rapidly. It can also be employed as an 

 organ of prehension, as I have frequently noticed 

 my tame bats hitch it over a projection, or between 

 the wires of their cage, when traversing it. I have 

 kept several species of our bats, and found that 

 most of them could be tamed to a considerable 

 extent, the long- eared bat being perhaps the most 

 docile, and easily rendered familiar. Some speci- 

 mens of the noctule lived in my possession for a 

 considerable time, and afforded me much interest 

 and amusement by the insight they gave me into 

 their habits and curious mode of life. They were 

 taken by myself in a hollow tree, and consisted of 



