SOME CURIOUSLY-COLOURED BATS. 
By R. LyYDEKKER. 
ATS when on the wing in the twilight form conspicuous objects when seen from 
below, and it is evident that their coloration is in nowise intended to render 
them invisible from this aspect. Had it been so, they would have had the under- 
surface of the body and wings light-coloured, although it may be doubtful whether 
even this would have very greatly helped matters. When seen from above, their dark 
colour not improbably renders them difficult to detect against the ground over which 
they are flying; and this may be one of the reasons why bats form such a small 
proportion of the prey of owls, although their swiftness of flight is probably another. 
That the number of bats killed by owls is comparatively insignificant is demonstrated by a 
table of the analysis of the cast “pellets” of the latter given in Professor Newton’s edition 
of “ Yarrell’s Birds.” In that instance the pellets of three species of owls were examined, 
with the result that in the case of two out of the three no remains of bats were 
discovered, while in the case of the third species—the barn-owl—evidence was obtained 
of the destruction of only 16 bats, against 237 mice, 693 voles, and 1,590 shrews. 
Whether the barn-owl is the only species of its tribe that preys on bats, and if so, 
for what reason, does not appear to be ascertained; but it seems evident from the 
foregoing statement that ordinary bats have little to fear from enemies while on the 
wing, and consequently have no need of protective coloration. In the gloom of 
caverns, hollow trees, and roofs and towers, where they pass the daylight hours (and 
indeed their whole time in the winter of the temperate zone), their sombre coloration 
must doubtless assist to render them inconspicuous. Even in such situations, however, 
it is more than doubtful whether such adventitious protection is of any advantage to 
them, for it does not appear that they are habitually preyed upon by manmimals which, 
like weasels and rats, could easily gain access to their roosting-places. Possibly this 
presumed immunity from attack may be due to the unpleasant smell of bats, which 
may render their flesh distasteful to the smaller beasts of prey. 
Be this as it may, it seems evident that the great majority of bats are not 
specially coloured for purposes of protection. Most rules have, however, their exceptions, 
and this is the case with regard to the coloration of bats. It is perhaps not 
unreasonable to suppose that the natives of India and Ceylon have recognised the 
remarkable resemblance existing between the coloration of the Painted, or Plantain, Bat 
(Cerivoula picta) and its inanimate surroundings. At any rate, the Cingalese have named 
it Kehel-voulha; kehel, or kehl, being the vernacular name for plantain, and vouwlha 
(probably a derivative from the same root as the Latin volare, to fly) signifying a bat. 
lt is from the native designation that the generic name, Cerivoula, of this group of bats 
is derived. With the single exception of the plantain-bat, the members of the Oriental 
genus Oerivoula present nothing specially noticeable in their colouring. Indeed they are 
all very nearly related to the genus which includes the European Bechstein’s Bat (Myotis 
bechsteini), one of the points of difference being the direction of the front teeth. 
The plantain-bat, on the other hand, as shown in the uppermost figure of the 
coloured plate, is coloured in a most striking and peculiar manner. The whole 
of the fur on the upper part of the body and head is bright orange, while those 
portions of the wing-membrane which are adjacent to the bones by which it is 
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