50 ANIMAL LIFE OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



across the forehead. Their form is a long oval with rounded 

 tip. Except for fringes on the folds they are hairless. They 

 are semi-transparent and have transverse folds. The tapering 

 tragus is nearly half as long as the ear, and might be mistaken 

 for it when the Bat hangs asleep ; for then the ears are care- 

 fully folded and tucked away in the wing whilst the tragus 

 sticks out beyond the inanimate-looking bundle. Sometimes, 

 when awake, one ear is held at a different angle from the other ; 

 but in flight both ears are directed forward. Often, when it 

 has caught an insect, the Long-eared Bat will come to the 

 ground to eat it. 



The soft, silky, brown fur is long and thick, especially on 

 the shoulders, but does not extend far upon the wings. On the 

 under parts it pales to yellowish or dirty white. The wings are 

 both long and broad, and their expanse in flight is about ten 

 inches. The long tail when folded forwards can touch the top 

 of the head ; its tip is slightly free from the interfemoral 

 membrane, and when the Bat hooks itself up head downwards 

 for sleep it serves as a third foot. 



The Long-eared Bat is found chiefly among trees, though it 

 frequently comes into open windows at night when its hunting 

 is over. It flies among the branches of trees and examines the 

 foliage for insects of all kinds. In early spring, when the sallows 

 are in bloom and attracting swarms of insects, the Long-eared 

 Bat is there also : fresh from hibernation and with a keen 

 appetite. He hovers like a hawk over a favourable tree, and 

 swoops down upon his selected prey. He appears in the evening 

 usually about half an hour after the sun has departed, and 

 apparently feeds during the greater part of the night ; occasion- 

 ally he is active in daylight. He appears to be at least partially 

 migratory, for it has been observed that in summer a swarm 

 will appear in a district where they are not noticeable as a rule, 

 and after staying a few weeks disappear. 



The single young one is born in June or July. 



