2 78 BATS. 



The serotine is of particular interest as having the widest distribution of any 

 known" bat, and being the only representative of the order Chiroptera which is 

 conniion to the eastern and western hemispheres. Seeing that bats are, from their 

 power of flight, able to traverse with ease long distances o\'er sea, it seems at first 

 sight veiy remarkable that the serotine is the only species which has succeeded in 

 crossing from the Old World to the New. It is, however, probable that most of 

 these animals are luiable to withstand the cold of the regions about Behring Strait, 

 where the passage between the two hemispheres is the shortest, and have hence 

 failed to spread themselves in the same manner as purely terrestrial Mammals like 

 the reindeer, elk, and glutton. 



The range of the sei-otine extends from England to Siberia, and from Northern 

 Germany to Northern Africa, whence it is continued through Arabia and Asia 

 Minor to the valleys of the Himalaya. In Africa it is found as far south as 

 the Gabun district on the west coast, and it probably extends to the Camei-un 

 Mountains. In America, where it was at one time regarded as distinct from the 

 European species, it appeal's to be widely spread from Lake Winnipeg in the north 

 to the Isthmus of Darien, and is met with throughout all the West Indies. The 

 serotine from the Gabun constitutes a distinct variety, distinguished by the fur of 

 the under-parts being of a pale yellowish-white, and thus forming a marked 

 contrast with the dark brown fur of the back. 



The serotine, which is a comparatively rare and local species in England, is 

 said to have veiy similar habits to the noctule, so far as regards the length of its 

 period of hibernation, and its consequent late appearance in the spring are 

 concerned. It is nearly always found alone, and has a characteristically slow 

 fluttering flight : while, as its name implies, it does not venture forth till late in 

 the eveninjj, and. In suitable weather, continues on the wine; till dawn. The 

 southern counties appear to be the only part of England in which this bat is 

 found : but in France, and otiier continental countries, it is widely distributed, and 

 far from uncommon. Observers in the country last named state that it may 

 generally be found flj'ing around the tallest trees in forests : and that it frequents 

 the timber j'ards in Paris, among the woodstacks of which it conceals itself during 

 the day. In North America, wliere it is known as the dusky, or Carolina, bat, the 

 habits of the serotine appear to be very nearly the same as in Europe. Thus, in 

 writing of these bats. Dr. A. K Fisher observes that " they are the last to make 

 their appearance in the evening. In fact, when it gets so dark that objects are 

 blended in one uncertain mass, and the bat-hunter finds that he is unable to shoot 

 with any precision, the Carolina bats make their appearance as mere dark shadows, 

 flitting here and there while busily engaged in catching insects. We have to make 

 a snap-shot as they dodge in and out from the dark tree-tops ; and we are left in 

 doubt as to the result until in the gloom we may perchance see our little black- 

 aud-tan, seemingh^ as interested in the result as we are, pointing to the dead 

 animal. This species is particularly fond of fields well surrounded by trees." 

 Parti-coloured The last of the bats of the genus Vesperugo, reckoned as British, 



^*- is the parti-coloured bat {V. dif^color), which, while belonging to 



the same group as the serotine, diffei-s in that the widest part of the short 

 tragus is above, instead of below the middle. Apart from this, the parti-coloured 



