'gBc W^axnxxxatia of porsef^^ire. 



By C. W. DALE. 



(Read Feb. ISth, 190d. ) 



Order CHEIROPTERA. 

 Family VESPERTILIONID^. 

 Genus VESPERUGO. 



HE Great Bat, Vcspenigo noctula. 



This species is gregarious in its habits, associat- 

 ing in considerable numbers, and seeking its 

 retreat sometimes in the hollows of trees, at 

 others under the roofs and eaves of houses. The 

 flight of this Bat is remarkably high and rapid, 

 and its cry when on the wing is sharp and 

 harsh. The first notice of its occurrence as a 

 British species is in White's " Natural History of Selborne," the 

 first edition of which was published in 1789. It was observed 

 by him to emit a very offensive odour. I can well corroborate 

 this myself, for a specimen I had, caught and shut up in a cage, 

 was liberated on this account. This was one of several which 

 had taken up their abode in a hole of a hollow walnut tree. 

 Hearing a squeaking noise inside the tree, I poked in a stick 

 and stirred them up. They all escaped and flew away, except 

 the one I captured. However, they deserted the tree and never 

 afterwards returned to it. 



