296 BLUEFIELDS. 



housei). All the specimens of the species that have 

 come into my possession were taken by their flying 

 into lighted rooms at night, a practice to which it 

 seems more addicted than any other. It is remark- 

 able for the large volume, and for the erect position 

 of its ears, which, however, are occasionally thrown 

 into curves posteriorly, with fine plicoB ; and also for 

 the great breadth of its wings, in contradistinction 

 to their length or expanse, which gives it in flight 

 an appearance of much greater magnitude than it 

 possesses. (Plate VI. fig, 2.) 



The Great-eared Bat is active in confinement, but 

 in a very different manner from the little Monk Bat 

 {Molossus fumarius), for on the slightest cause it 

 leaps up into flight, and that even during the day, 

 when it flies about the room with ease and celerity, 

 now and then hanging head downward against any 

 little projection, or even from the bare plastered 

 wall. One, which I had captured, I put within a 

 glass candle-shade to secure it ; and though the area 

 inclosed by the bottom of this was little more than 

 sufficient to allow it to turn its body, it kept con- 

 tinually leaping up perpendicularly to the height of 

 six inches, expanding the wings at the same time as 

 well as the confined space would permit. 



Its flight has not the noiseless character common 

 to the Order ; the impulse of its great volar mem- 

 branes producing an audible rushing sound. When 

 placed on the floor it makes no awkward scrambling 

 attempts to crawl, but leaps up at once into the air, 

 and flies as readily as any bird. My specimens 

 uttered no clicking, or other oral sound, when held ;, 



