THE VAMPYRE BAT. 2(3? 



Description Numerous in New South Wales. 



THE VAMPYRE.BAT. 



THIS animal, which M. Buffon has distin- 

 guished by the appellation of Roussete, is a for- 

 midable and dangerous creature, and the com- 

 mon pest of both men and animals in those coun- 

 tries where it abounds. It is in general about 

 a foot long, and in the extent of its wings near 

 four feet; but it is sometimes found larger, and 

 specimens have been seen of six feet in extent. 



The head is shaped like that of a fox; the 

 nose is sharp and black ; and the ears are naked, 

 blackish, and pointed. The general colour of 

 the body is a deep reddish brown. 



These bats are generally on the wing from sun- 

 set to sun-rise, and remain during the day in the 

 hollow trees. They skim the water with perfect 

 facility, in their sportive moods, and frequently 

 dip into it to wash themselves. Several writers 

 inform us that they swarm like bees, hanging 

 near one another in vast clusters. At least five 

 hundred of them were seen by Mr. Forster, hang- 

 ing, some by their fore, and others by their hind 

 legs, in a large tree, in one of the Friendly 

 islands: and at Rose-Hill in New South Wales 

 it is supposed, that upwards of twenty thousand 

 were seen within the space of a mile. Finch ob- 

 serves, " they hang by the claws to the boughs 

 of trees near Surat, in such vast clusters, and 

 make so intolerable a noise, that it would be a 

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