106 COMMON BAT, OR PIPISTRELLE. 



Inch. Lines. Inch. Lines. 



Length to root of tail 2 1 9 



Tail 1 6 1 2 



Total length 3 6 2 II 



Head 9 07 



Extent of wings , 8 3 82 



Ear from out M base 6 06 



Humerus 6 08 



Cubitus 1 3 13 



Third finger 3 3 32 



Pollex and claw 2| 3 



From the middle of spring, but earlier or later 

 according to the warmth of the season, to the middle 

 of October, sometimes commencing as early as 

 March, and continuing till November, this Bat may 

 be seen after sunset, in the neighbourhood of towns 

 and villages, over the streets of cities or the roads, 

 in the alleys and lanes, or along the course of brooks 

 and rivers, fluttering with an unsteady motion, and 

 apparently undetermined course. Its flight is not 

 rapid, like that of a bird, but rather resembles that 

 of a large moth or butterfly. It turns and winds in 

 all directions, flying at various heights from ten to 

 twenty or more feet, and sometimes as high as the 

 tops of the trees, but more commonly at an elevation 

 of about fifteen feet. It is attracted by a white hand- 

 kerchief, or any other body, thrown up in the air, 

 for which reason boys are fond of tossing their caps 

 at it. Sometimes it has been caught upon the fly- 

 hooks of a fishing-rod hung over a bridge. It con- 

 tinues its flight until dark, and probably during the 

 night, especially in summer, as well as in the morn- 



