714 CAPT. T. BUTTON ON HIMALAYAN BATS. [June 4, 



to obtain among the larger species, if not throughout the whole ex- 

 tensive allied genus of Rhinolophus, which, like Megaderma, are 

 peculiar to the eastern world." 



In confirmation of these remarks, Mr. Frith afterwards informed 

 Mr. Blyth " that a number of these Bats were in the habit of resort- 

 ing to the verandah of his residence in Mymensing (Burmah), and 

 that every morning the ground under them was strewed with the 

 hind-quarters of frogs and the wings of large grasshoppers and 

 crickets. On one occasion the remains of a small fish were observed ; 

 but frogs appeared to constitute their chief diet — never toads ; and 

 of a quiet evening these animals could be distinctly heard crunching 

 the heads and smaller bones of their victims." 



Other species of Bats were noticed to keep aloof from this retreat ; 

 but Mr. Frith had no opportunity of confirming Mr. Blyth's obser- 

 vations that the Megaderma preys upon the smaller animals of its 

 own tribe. 



Mr. Blyth's suggestion of the probability of the Rhinolophi prey- 

 ing upon other species is to a certain extent confirmed by my own 

 observations, and is in all probability the reason why the larger 

 species keep aloof in pairs, instead of congregating, as do some of the 

 smaller kinds. I have found that Rh. luctus, Phyllorhina armiger, 

 Nycticejus luteus,Miniopterus blepotis, and Vespertilio blythii, when 

 confined with some smaller species than themselves, will prey upon 

 them. 



I know of an enormous cave at Mussooree to which various species, 

 both large and small, are in the habit of resorting for rest and con- 

 cealment during the day. Standing within this spacious vault in 

 the earliest hours, just before the first streaks of day appear, the 

 spectator is perfectly astonished at the numbers of Bats resorting to 

 it — not, however, in one promiscuous crowd, but in separate detach- 

 ments, each seeking its own particular quarter of the cavern, and 

 alighting against the sides, at first within reach of a butterfly-net, and 

 commence crawling upwards and backwards to spots beyond the reach 

 of invasion from below. Here in one spot will be seen a pair of Rhi- 

 nolop>hus luctus, hanging high up, and quite apart from all the rest ; 

 in another place hangs a pair of Phyllorhina armiger, the large ears 

 and the facial crests in active tremulous motion as the head is turned 

 in every direction to ascertain that no intruder is nigh its dwelling- 

 place, until, this restlessness gradually passing off", the animal hangs 

 at length quietly suspended by the feet. In another direction are a 

 dozen or more of Rhinolophus minor rapidly scrambling all together 

 like a lot of crabs up the inequalities of the rocky surface, and hur- 

 riedly disappearing into some deep narrow crack or crevice ; while 

 again, in another part, the same scene is observed, as dozens of a very 

 small species of Nycticejus scramble into similar hiding-places, to 

 rest in peace until the hour for again emerging in search of prey 

 calls them all forth once more respectively at their appointed 

 hours. 



