MOUSE-COLOURED BAT. 



Vespertilio tnyotis. KUHL. 



Ears ovate, narrowly rounded, as long as the head, with 

 both margins involute at the base ; tragus narrow, tapering* 

 the inner margin straight, about half the length of the ear 

 fur reddish-brown above, greyish-white beneath. 



Vespertilio ir.urinus, Geoffr. Ann. Mus. VIII. 191 ; Desmar. 

 Mammal. 134; Jenyns, Brit. Vert. An. 20; Bell, Brit. 

 Quadr. 37. Vespertilio myotis, Bechst. and Kuhl, Beut. 

 Flederm. Sp. 4. 



THIS species, which is common on many parts of 

 the continent, is very rare in Britain, the only 

 specimens, according to Mr Jenyns, that are known 

 to have been obtained, having been found in the 

 gardens of the British Museum. It is the largest 

 of our native species, but nothing is known of 

 its habits in this country. On the continent, it 

 is said to inhabit old buildings, and the towers of 

 churches, where it is often met with in hundreds. 

 They do not associate with others, and are extremely 

 quarrelsome among themselves. Desmarest's de- 

 scription is as follows : 



