22 VESPERTILIONID^. 



occupied in the birth was seventeen minutes. At the 

 time of its birth, the young was larger than a new-born 

 mouse ; and its hind-legs and claws were remarkably 

 strong and serviceable, enabling it not only to cling to its 

 dam, but also to the deal sides of the cage. On the 24th, 

 the animal took her food in the morning, and appeared 

 very careful of her young, shifting it occasionally from 

 side to side to suckle it, and folding it in the membranes 

 of the tail and wings. On these occasions her usual 

 position was reversed. In the evening she was found 

 dead ; but the young was still alive, and attached to the 

 nipple, from which it was with some difficulty removed. 

 It took milk from a sponge, was kept carefully wrapped 

 up in flannel, and survived eight days ; at the end of 

 which period its eyes were not opened, and it had 

 acquired very little hair. From these observations, it 

 is evident that the period of gestation in the Noctule 

 exceeds thirty-eight days." 



The Noctule, in general conformation, is essentially 

 adapted for the capture and mastication of coleopterous 

 insects. The broad muzzle and strong jaws are found 

 quite equal to the reduction of the stubborn elytra of 

 beetles as large as the cockchafer (of which, according to 

 Kuhl, he will consume as many as thirteen, one after the 

 other), and the wings are in no way deficient in power 

 when in pursuit of these insects. During the fine 

 midsummer evenings, when the cockchafers have become 

 abundant, and you hear them humming on every side, 

 the Noctule is in his glory. Then he flies high and 

 straight, and you hear his shrill but clear voice as he 

 passes overhead, interrupting himself only to dart at 

 some prey, and then passing on. But an observer will 

 not watch his movements long on such occasions with- 



