274 



BATS. 



rather long and silky, of a yellowish-red colour near the roots of the ears, but 

 elsewhere reddish-brown above, and dusky beneath. This bat, the smallest of the 

 British species, is distributed all over Europe, the temperate parts of Asia, and 

 North Africa. It docs not enter India, but is found in the valley of Kashmir, and 

 also at our frontier .station at Gilgit. 



This being the commonest of the British bats, and also one which frequenis 

 the neighbourhood of human habitations, we are naturally more fully acquainted 

 with its habits than with those of many other species ; and the following account 

 is mainly derived from the excellent description given in Bell's Briflfh Qiiadrupedst. 



rr:',i;;i)?ii!ilfi„;in.Ti:..,:.,r„.,.i:,sV::!:"'-' 



The pipistrelle appears earlier and retires later than any other Engli.sh bat, making 

 its first appearance as early as the middle of March, and not tinally hibernating 

 till winter has actually set in. Its flight is extremelj^ swift and rapid, and accom- 

 panied by the sudden turns and descents which have probabh' been observed by 

 all. The favourite resorts of this species in inhabited regions appear to be old 

 buildings and roofs, but it seems to avoid the roofs of stacks and ricks, which 

 might have been thought to have afforded safe cover. Probably, however, this 

 avoidance may be due to the rats and mice which are so frequently found in such 

 situations. Trees appear to be but seldom selected, either as a temporary hiding- 

 place, or for the hibernation. In uninhabited districts crannies and clefts in i-ocks 

 serve as shelter. The favourite food of the pipistrelle is said to be gnats : and tlie 



