10 VESPERTILIONIDJE. 



nation of these animals is one of the most interesting 

 points in their economy. At an earlier or later period 

 of autumn, according to the species, they retreat, gene- 

 rally in large congregations of various species together, 

 to the most retired places ; as under the roofs of 

 houses and churches, in caverns, in the hollows of 

 trees, and similar situations, where they suspend them- 

 selves by their hinder claws, with the head downwards. 

 Here they crowd together, holding not only by the 

 surface of the walls of their retreat, but by each 

 other, one crowding over another so closely that it 

 appears scarcely possible for such numbers to occupy so 

 small a space. The retirement of the different species 

 takes place at very different periods of the year. The 

 Noctule is seldom seen abroad much later than July ; and 

 the Pipistrelle, the most common of our indigenous Bats, 

 will sometimes make its appearance, in fine mild weather, 

 in almost every month in the year ; it does not even 

 restrict itself to the obscurity of evening, but may 

 now and then be seen flitting about in the bright sun- 

 shine of a December day, in search of the few insects 

 which the unwonted influence of his rays has called into 

 a short-lived activity. 



The female Bat brings forth one or two young at a 

 birth, which she nurses with great tenderness and care, 

 carrying it about with her, and holding it enshrouded in 

 her ample cloak, which preserves it from all intrusion. 

 During the period of breeding, some species are observed 

 to pair ; and Geoffrey St. Hilaire states, that whilst the 

 female is suckling, the male places himself in front of the 

 mother, so that the young one may be equally protected 

 and warmed by both the parents at the same time. 



It is perhaps difficult to account for the prejudices 

 which have always existed against these harmless and 



