48 Lloyd's natural historv. 



IV. BECHSTEIN's bat. VESPERTILIO BECHSTEINL 



Vespertilio bechstemii, Leisler^ in Kuhl's Deutsch. Flederm. p. 

 30 (1817); Bell, British Quadrupeds 2nd ed. p. 52 

 (1874) ; Dobson, Cat. Chiroptera Brit. Mus. p. 308 



(1878). 



Characters — From the preceding species, Bechstein's Bat may 

 be readily distinguished by the posterior margin of the mem- 

 brane connecting the hind-legs being naked; and by the 

 length of the tail being less than that of the head and body. 

 Ears oval, and considerably longer than the head. Fur light 

 reddish on the upper-parts, and greyish- white beneath ; the 

 bases of the hairs, both above and below, being dark brown. 

 Length of head and body about 2 inches ; of tail, 1}^ inch. 



Dobson remarks that in general form this species resembles 

 Vespertilio murinus, " but is readily distinguished from that 

 species by the proportionately much longer ears, by the very 

 different form of the tragus, by the wing-membrane extending 

 quite to the base of the toes, and also by its considerably 

 smaller size." 



Distribution. — Like the last species, this Bat appears to be 

 confined to Europe, its range extending in one direction from 

 the south of England to the south of Russia, and in the other 

 from Sweden to the Alps. So far as we are aware, this species 

 is only known as British upon the evidence of some specimens 

 captured many years ago in the New Forest, and now pre- 

 served in the British Museum, and it has therefore a very 

 doubtful claim to rank in our fauna. 



Habits. — In marked distinction to the Reddish-grey Bat, this 

 species is described as being an exclusively forest-haunting 

 form, taking up its winter quarters in hollow trees, and never 

 resorting to buildings or caves. Never associating with other 

 members of its order, it generally flies about in small parlies^ 

 which seldom exceed a dozen in number. 



