WHISKERED BAT 



Frequenting, as it does, the neighbourhood of water, 

 searching for insect prey just over the surface, it is only 

 to be expected that a slow, hovering flight is engaged in. 

 So close does it fly to the surface, that, every now and 

 again, it actually dips into the water ; but it remains an 

 open question as to whether it does so in pursuit of an 

 insect-denizen of the mazy pool, or for the purpose of 

 drinking. 



Where it does occur, numbers may be discovered 

 hunting in close proximity to one another, and Professor 

 Bell observed this species in such numbers on the Avon, 

 near Stratford, Warwickshire, as to conclude there must 

 have been one to every square yard, extending over 

 quite a wide region. 



Whiskered Bat. — Belonging to the same genus as 

 the last-named species, the Whiskered Bat is somewhat 

 smaller in body-length and wing-stretch. It has been 

 accorded the fore part of its popular name because of the 

 " whiskers " situate upon the upper lip. These are 

 made up of a fringe of long, fine hair. Unlike Dauben- 

 ton's Bat, the Whiskered is mostly a solitary species, 

 and a careful look-out must be kept for it, if success is 

 to be obtained. Curiously enough, on occasions a 

 number may be discovered hawking together. When 

 this interesting event takes place, it has been suggested 

 that the appearance of a prolific food-supply is the direct 

 cause of the phenomenon. 



This Bat is dressed in a fur of dark chestnut on the 



upper parts, with a tendency towards black, and dusky 



23 



