305 



176. Vesperugo borealis. The Northern Bat. 



Vespertilio borealis, Nilsson, Ilium, Fig. Scand. Fauna, haft. 19, pi 30 



(1838). 



Vesperugo nilssoni, Keys. $ Bias, Wiegm. Arch. 1839, p. 315. 

 Vesperugo borealis, Dobson, Mon. As. Chir. p. 105; id. Cat. Chir 



B. M, p. 203 ; Scully, P. Z. S. 1881, p. 200. 



Ears nearly triangular, tips broadly rounded, outer margin straight 

 almost to the base, where it turns forwards and after a distinct 

 eraargination terminates in a short but prominent lobe, just 

 behind the angle of the mouth. Inner margin straight above, 

 ending below in a rounded basal lobe. Outer margin of tragus 

 very convex with a projecting lobe at the base, inner margin 

 straight below and slightly concave above, tip rounded, greatest 

 breadth below the middle of the inner margin. 



Muzzle flat and of moderate breadth. Postcalcaneal lobe dis- 

 tinct, but narrow ; the two last caudal vertebrae free. 



The inner upper incisor bifid, outer incisor as long as the outer 

 and shorter cusp of the inner incisor, and equal to the latter in 

 cross section at the base ; lower incisors trifid, placed at right 

 angles to the jaw, and overlapping each other, those next the 

 canines rounded above and higher than the rest. 



Colour of fur very dark brown, above with yellowish-brown tips, 

 below with ashy. 



Dimensions, Head and body 2 inches, tail 1*7, ear from crown 

 0*4, forearm 1-5. 



Distribution. Throughout the northern Palaearctic region, as far 

 north as the Arctic Circle. This species has been obtained in 

 Eastern Turkestan and China. The only specimen hitherto re- 

 corded within Indian limits was taken by Dr. Scully in Gilgit. 



Habits. According to Blasius this species, which flies well and 

 quickly, migrates north in summer, being only found in Northern 

 liussia about August, and is, of all European bats, the least sen- 

 sitive to cold and bad weather. According to the same authority, 

 the female usually produces two young at a time. 



177. Vesperugo discolor. The particoloured Sat. 



Vespertilio discolor, Natterer, Kuhl, Deutsche Flederm. p. 43 (1817) ; 



id. Wetterau Gesell, N. Annal. i, p. 187 (1819). 

 Vesperugo discolor, Dobson, Mon. As. Chir. p. 106 ; id. Cat. Chir. 



B. M. p. 204 ; Anderson, Cat. p. 125 ; Scully, P, Z. S. 1881, p. 199. 



Ears oval, tips broadly rounded ; outer margin straight for the 

 upper third, folded back on itself about the middle, emarginate 

 opposite the base of the tragus, and terminating in a long, but 

 not prominent lobe behind and a little above the angle of the 

 mouth, a tubercle between the termination and the angle ; inner 

 margin very slightly convex above, more so below, and with a 

 prominent rounded basal lobe. Outer margin of tragus with a 

 small projecting basal lobe, above very convex, tip rounded, inner 



