Whitaker: The Hairy-Armed Bat. ATs 
Nov. 22nd (58 F.). Very much milder than any evening since the 25th of 
Oct. During the last four weeks I have looked at my bat every evening 
when it has been mild, but I do not think it has been awake at all 
during the time. To-night, however, it awoke in good time, and rapidly 
disposed of about 64 mealworms, after which it at once retired to its 
sleeping corner and dozed off. I noticed Long-eared bats feeding in 
Elmhirst Park late the same night. 
Nov. 27th (51 F.). Milder than it has been for several days, but the bat did 
not wake up. 
Dec. 12th (36 F.). Examined the bat in the daytime, and found it hanging 
somewhat limply, with a more flaccid appearance than normal, the legs 
being more stretched. The fur and skin of the shoulders secmed quite 
puffed out, making the neck and shoulders look disproportionally thick. 
Breathing hardly apparent at all. 
Dec. 17th (48 F.). The evening being much milder than any since the 27th 
of Nov., I looked at my bat just after dusk, but it had not moved. 
When I gently lifted the piece of bark behind which it was resting, I 
found its eyes were open and it was breathing quite rapidly. Upon my 
holding a mealworm about half-an-inch from its nose, it promptly’ 
seized it, and subsequently disposed of some 45 more. 
Jan. 11th (42 F.). In the morning I examined my bat, and found it hanging 
as usual, but I could not detect the breathing. As I feared it might 
possibly be dead, I touched one of its hind claws very lightly, when it 
instantly squeaked and moved the foot a little. Upon lifting up the 
piece of bark to which it was clinging, I found it had opened its eyes, 
and had the lips drawn back, especially the upper. It commenced to 
draw unsteady shuddering breaths, and to move its head a little from 
side to side, and also ‘muscled up’ a time or two, @e., draw up its 
whole body by contracting the leg mucles, a common action of many 
bats when hanging. I replaced the bat in its cage, and in about ten 
minutes time it had relapsed into its usual torpor. 
Mar. 16th (51 F.). The bat was not awake at dusk, but as I had seen one 
or two Noctules flying in the open, I put about 100 mealworms into its 
cage. 
Mar. 17th (49 F.). Bat asleep, but most of the mealworms placed in the 
cage last night were missing. Strong presumptive evidence that it 
must have been awake sometime during last night ! 
Mar. zoth (51 F.). Bat awake at dusk, and ravenously ate abont 70 meal- 
worms. I think it may very probably have been awake last night also, 
when it was fairly mild, but I was prevented from getting a look at it. 
April 2nd (54 F.). Bat awake at dusk and fed well. 
April grd (55 F.). Bat awake and ate some 4 dozen mealworms. 
April 4th (59 F.). Bat awake and ate about 70 mealworms. 
April 5th (54 F.). Bat awake and ate about 30 mealworms. 
April 6th (50 F.). Bat not awake. 
April 8th (51 F.). Bat not awake. 
April 9th (48 F.). Bat not awake. 
April 15th (55 F.). Bat awoke and ate about 40 mealworms. 
April 16th (58 F.).. Bat awoke and ate 63 mealworms. 
After the middle of April I did not trouble to keep daily 
record of the temperature or notes as to whether the bat was 
awake or not. The cold and wet spring and early summer 
doubtless caused it to sleep on a much greater number of 
evenings than would ordinarily have been the case. And even 
when June had set in there were as many nights on which my 
bat did not wake as when it did. This, I fancy, was the case 
equally with bats in a perfectly natural condition, for I never 
remember a summer when they were so little in evidence. 
1907 December 1 
