38 VESPERTILIONIM. 



the spout. It is probable that trees are much less 

 frequented by this species than by some others, though 

 one instance has come to our knowledge of its capture 

 from behind a piece of loose bark on a decaying pollard 

 willow by the side of the Avon, near Stratford. 



In its choice of nocturnal haunts, the Pipistrelle is 

 not less varied than in its selection of a resting-place. 

 Wherever the Whiskered Bat is seen, this species may 

 be seen also, that is, in all sorts of sheltered corners, and 

 occasionally we have shot it while flying over the surface 

 of the Avon in company with Vespertilio Daubentonii. 

 But by far the most commonplace resort is the sheltered 

 corner of an orchard, stackyard, farmyard, lane, or indeed 

 any other quiet spot near a homestead, and we have 

 sometimes been led to suppose that the abundance of 

 flies which generally accompany cattle may account for 

 the preference which it gives to the vicinity of farm- 

 buildings. In mode of flight, the present species more 

 nearly resembles the Whiskered Bat than any other, 

 and when flitting or rather vibrating together in the 

 " leafy month of June," it is no easy matter to distin- 

 guish them. However, it may be said that, generally, 

 while the Whiskered Bat often feeds in the trees, the 

 Pipistrelle feeds near them, and takes its food wholly on 

 the wing. The former of these, we have good reason 

 to believe, often takes insects which are resting on the 

 leaves of trees and hedges. 



It is remarked by Geoffroy, that the Pipistrelle is not 

 unfrequently found on the ground, worn out with ineffec- 

 tual efforts to regain its flight, from its not finding an 

 elevated spot from which to fall. This observation is 

 totally incorrect as to the present, and probably every 

 other species. We have often seen the Pipistrelle rise 

 from a plane surface with a sort of spring, instantly 



