CLASS MAMMALIA. 35 



chimneys and walls of houses. I never remember to have 

 found another species hybernating with it. 



Vesperugo pipistrellus, Keys and Bias. COMMON BAT. 



This bat, a small imitation of the Noctule, is extremely 

 common in all parts of the kingdom, and is probably the 

 commonest of the order. It is found, of course, at Epping, 

 and appears in Mr. Doubleday's list (Zool.> 1843, P- 6). 



It is on the wing, in mild seasons, almost up to Christmas, 

 when it finally retires for its winter sleep, choosing, almost 

 invariably, for its home holes in and about buildings. Its 

 flight, unlike that of its larger relative, is low, and well 

 suggested by its vulgar name, " Flitter-mouse." The sheltered 

 sides of buildings, or hedges, are its favourite hunting- 

 grounds no doubt in consequence of its food (gnats and 

 small insects) seeking a like protection from the wind. 



It sallies forth earlier and retires later than any other 

 bat, and is the species most frequently seen flying by day. 



Genus VESPERTILIO, Keys and Bias. 



Vespertilio daubentonii, Leisler. DAUBENTON'S BAT. 



Mr. E. Newman (The Field^ Mar. I4th, 1874, p. 263), 

 quoting from a letter of Doubleday's, says that he has seen 

 this bat caught between Epping and Abridge, and has noticed 

 it flying over the Stour at Sudbury, close to the water. In 

 the Colchester district, it is not rare. In winter, I have 

 found it, as did Yarrell, under the Castle at Colchester. Its 

 usual habitat, when at rest, is in buildings. 



It has one character by which it may easily be dis- 

 tinguished : viz., the wing membrane, which extends only to 

 the distal extremity of the tibia, leaving the foot free. In the 

 other species, the membrane is usually continued to the root 

 of the toes. Daubenton's Bat has been well described as an 



