306 BA TS 



flowers. That some of the species feed on fruits has been ascertained by direct 

 observation ; but the discovery of the remains of insects in the stomachs of others 

 proves that the diet of all is not of the same kind. One of the species which is 

 known to feed on insects is the Soricine long-tongued vampire (Glossophaga 

 soridna), and since this species has a well-developed membrane between the hind 

 legs, while in some of those subsisting entirely on fruit the same membrane is 

 very short, Dr. Dobson considers that we may predicate the nature of the food of 

 any given species by the size of this membrane. The species with the longest tail 

 membrane will be the best flyers, and consequently those best suited for the capture 

 of insects. 



Writing of Sezekorn's long-tongued vampire (Phyllonyderis sezekomi), of which 

 some individuals were taken from a large colony in a cave in Jamaica, Mr. Osburn 

 describes their mode of feeding on the fruit or the so-called clammy cherry : ' ' The 

 tongue was rapidly protruded and drawn in again, and the juice and softer pulp 

 cleared away with great rapidity. I noticed he was very particular in clearing out 

 the bit of loose skin of berry, and licked my fingers clean of the juice spilt on them, 

 carefully cleaning out any that had collected under the nail. I then got another 

 berry. The bat was hanging against the edge of the box, its under surface against 

 the side ; and as I held the berry a little distance off to see the action of the tongue, 

 it had, whilst feeding, to bend the neck so as to raise the head a little ; this seemed 

 to fatigue it. It therefore raised itself on one wrist, and turned round so that its 

 back was against the box's side ; but as it did not change the position of the feet, 

 of course the legs crossed, the right foot now being on the left side, and vice versd. 

 In this odd position it appeared perfectly at ease, and went on licking at a fresh 

 berry with great relish. As the pulp and juice became exhausted I expected the 

 bat would drop it, and was prepared with another berry ; but to my surprise, he 

 brought up the wrists to the muzzle, took the berry between them, gave it two or 

 three energetic bites, and then held the berry off. So I now understood what the 

 unusually long thumbs were for ; for they applied themselves dexterously to the 

 berry, held it firmly, and then, as it appeared to me, by a reverse action of the two 

 wrists the berry was turned round, a fresh hold taken by the teeth, and the same 

 licking process renewed till the seed in the centre was cleaned of the pulp, all but 

 the little bit which served for the last tooth-hold. It was then dropped, and the 

 eager little muzzle raised for more. ' ' 



THE SHORT-NOSED VAMPIRES 

 Genus Artibeus, etc. 



The short-nosed vampires comprise a group of nine genera, all the members of 

 which are mainly of frugivorous habits. These bats may be easily recognized at 

 sight by their very short and generally wide muzzles, furnished with a short nose- 

 leaf, of which the front portion is horseshoe shaped, and the hinder part spear like. 

 The membrane between the hind legs has its hinder margin excavated to form a 



