44 ANIMAL LIFE OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



daily papers from City gentlemen who report the presence of a 

 Bat flying along Cornhill or Cheapside early in January. 



It is not particular in regard to its sleeping place, and is 

 frequently found under roofs, behind rainwater pipes and 

 gutters, or in any crevices between woodwork and brickwork in 

 buildings. Any regular dormitory acquires a very fetid odour 

 from its use. 



The dental formula of the Common Bat is : z , c j, p # , vi :} 

 = 34. Schreber's name of Vespertilio pipistrellus was bestowed 

 in 1774 and is the oldest name ; in the British Museum Cata- 

 logue it is Pipistrellus pipistrellus, a combination invented by 

 Miller in 1897. 



Serotine ( Vespertilio scrotinus, Schreber). 



The Serotine and the Noctule are our two largest Bats, and 

 in the early records they were very much confused. Though 

 similar in size, they may be known apart by the shape of the 

 ear ; in the present species oval-triangular with the tips rounded. 

 The fur is also of a darker brown, and there are other points of 

 difference, such as the possession of two additional teeth by the 

 Noctule. But for a few records of its occurrence in Essex, it 

 might be said to be restricted in Britain to that portion of 

 England bounded by the river Thames and the English Channel. 

 A few examples have been taken in Cornwall, and other counties 

 in which it is found are Surrey, Hampshire, Sussex, and Kent. 

 It occurs throughout the Isle of Wight where it is known as 

 Rattle-mouse but Kent is its British metropolis, where it is 

 the commonest Bat. It extends through Central and South 

 Europe, from Denmark to the Mediterranean and eastward 

 into Asia. 



It has a somewhat swollen face with little hair on the front 

 portion, save for a moustache on the upper lip ; but owing to 

 the dark skin of the face the lack of fur is not very noticeable. 



