148 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. 



flight of butterflies was seen, but on this occasion the species was Behnois 

 mesentina, Cramer, with a few examples of Danais plexippus, Linnaeus {genulia, 

 Cramer). On this occasion the direction of flight was from the East to the 

 West. For some days previously rather strong winds had prevailed, and 

 judging from tbe trrn state of the specimens caught by me, I should bo 

 inclined to think that they had been damaged by gales which had probably 

 carried them from their original locality, to which they were now returning. 

 In a distance of about 20 yards B. mesentina crossed the line of sight at the 

 rate of about 25 per minute, whereas D. plexippus only passed at about 2 or 3 

 ,n the same time. The wind was light and from the East. In the migration 

 of Catopsilia in August there was no possibility of computing the number 

 passing, as the whole sky as far as it was possible to see, was filled with them 

 whereas in the Behnois and Danais flight the insects seemed to be all close 

 to the ground, but flying without hesitation in the uniform direction. Resi- 

 dents who have lived in the Kangra Valley for some years have informed mo 

 that these migrations of butterflies are not unusual. 



G. C. DUDGEON, F.E.S. 



HoLTA Tea Estate, 

 Palampur, Kangka. 



No. VII.— OCCURRENCE OF THE BLACK-BEAHDED BAT 

 {TAPHOZOUS MELANOPOGON) NEAR BOMBAY. 



In Mr. Wroughton's most interesting paper on " Some Konkan Bats " 

 (Vol, XII, p, 716) allusion is made to one species only of the family Emhall 

 lonuidce or Sheath-tailed Bats as represented, so far as his collection was 

 concerned, in the district. When visiting the Kenery Caves in Salsette last 

 February, I found a number of bats in the main cave-temple, but being with- 

 out proper means for obtaining specimens, I was only able to secure one — 

 knocked down with a stone. This turned out to be a male of Taphozous 

 melanopogon, the Black-bearded Sheath-tailed Bat, On referring to Mr, 

 Wrdughton's paper and finding that he had not come across this species, I 

 sent my skinner up again, with the result that he brought me a series of 13 

 spedmens. 



The most notable feature about them is the much darker colour of the fur 

 generally of the females compared with the males. In measurements they 

 come out slightly larger than those given in the Fauna of British India 

 {^Mammalia), viz., head and body, average of 14 specimens, 80 mm., ranging 

 from 82 down to 75 mm., and forearm 65 mm., average, ranging from 67 down 

 to 63 mm. 



E. COMBER. 

 Bombay, 15<^ May^ 1901. 



