GREAT BAT. 47 



swelling between eye and nostril. The nostrils project forward 

 and outward and there is a distinct concavity between the two 

 crescent-shaped orifices. The ear is short when flattened it 

 is broader than long with the front border rounded to the tip ; 

 its inner surface covered with short hairs. The ears are far 

 apart. There is a very short, downy, bow-shaped tragus, 

 broader above than below. The long, soft, golden-brown fur is 

 abundant, and extends over the face and a short distance over 

 the wing ; it is paler and duller on the lower parts. On the 

 underside there is a narrow band of fur below the arm bones. 

 The last joint of the tail is free. The membrane and ears are 

 blackish. 



The dentition is : z , c j, p 2, m jf = 34. 



The Great Bat, as one would expect from the shape of the 

 wings, has a quick, dashing flight reminding one of that of the 

 Swifts, with which, indeed, it may be seen high in the air 

 hawking for the same prey. It often glides down obliquely on 

 expanded wings. It flies at twilight and again at dawn, as well 

 as in the daytime occasionally. It has a shrill, clear, cricket- 

 like voice. 



Mr. C. B. Moffat says they "cram themselves to bursting 

 point either once or twice in the twenty-four hours, during a 

 seventy minutes career of mad excitement among the twilight- 

 flying beetles and gnats." They also take moths and other 

 insects ; but in captivity they have resolutely refused to eat 

 such " warningly coloured " species as the Cinnabar and 

 Magpie moths. It is proved that at one meal they will con- 

 sume food equal to a fourth of their own weight. When one 

 considers the lightness of insects the amount of good these 

 purely insectivorous creatures effect is obvious. 



Their resorts are in hollow trees and under the eaves of 

 buildings, where numbers may associate together, especially in 

 hibernation. Their presence is often indicated by thick layers 

 of excrement. 



