BRITISH BATS. 47 



lesser expanse of the wings. It was first discovered 

 in Wiltshire by Montague, but has since been 

 several times observed in the south of England. 

 The large-eared, or mouse-coloured bat (Myotis 

 murinus) is the largest of our native species, and 

 also the rarest ; the only specimens recorded to 

 have been taken in this country were captured, as 

 recorded by Mr. Jenyns, in the gardens of the 

 British Museum. On the Continent, where it is 

 abundant, it often congregates in the towers of 

 churches and in old buildings in the same way as 

 the noctule. The hinder part of the head, the nape 

 of the neck, and back are reddish-brown, the face 

 greyish, and the lower parts of the body of a 

 greyish white hue. The wings are brownish, and 

 the general tint of the body is said to deepen with 

 age. The measurements, as given by Mr. Jenyns, 

 are : length of the head and body, three inches, 

 five lines ; of the head, eleven lines ; of the tail, 

 one inch, eight lines ; of the ears, eleven lines and 

 a half ; of the tragus, five lines ; of the thumb, five 

 lines. Extent of wings, fifteen inches. 



The serotine bat (Scotophilus serotinus) was dis- 

 covered by Daubenton on the Continent, frequenting 

 woods and forests, and awaking from its state of 

 hibernation at a later period than the other kinds. 

 With us it has been obtained in the vicinity of 

 London. The fur in the male is of a deep chestnut 



