20 NOTE—MAMMALIA, 
behind the curtains and blinds it was interesting to watch it search 
ing about the spot, hovering over it, and occasionally alighting at a 
convenient place. By the twelfth day the little captive had grown so 
tame that when let out for its evening flight it took flies from my 
hand, ‘ pitching’ upon it, and seizing the insects from between the 
fingers. As, however, I was going to be away for some days, it was 
released after being in captivity for nearly a fortnight. ‘Thus were 
some, at least, of the habits of a bat revealed to me, and I have little 
doubt but that many of the ways and movements I have described 
will apply with equal truth to some of the other British species. The 
observation of animals when in captivity, however, can only be con- 
ducted so far as the altered circumstances by which they are then 
surrounded tend to modify their habits as witnessed in their native 
yaunts. But the crepuscular habits of bats render an insight into 
their life-history a matter of some difficulty. In the dim twilight 
which prevails when they are abroad, even the distinguishing of the 
species when flying in close proximity is fraught with uncertainty. 
In such cases a short period of captivity will often dispel many 
doubts, and, in the present instance, I was fortunate in meeting with 
a specimen so tame and healthy. In fact, when I found that the 
bat would take flies itself in the room, the remaining obstacle was 
removed, as then I could observe it under the most favourable 
conditions captivity would allow. 
Shi Pharmac 
Otters not found in the Caldew. the September number of ‘The 
Meceuer “sc age et under ea aline. * Bibliography : Mammalia, 1888,’ 
appa rently on the Panthecited Mr. C. Parkinson, appears the assertion that Otters 
(Lutra lutra (L.)) are never found in a ath — though abounding in the 
Eden, to which it is a tributary. mistaken idea. I was born 
and brought up on the banks of the Caldew, where as a lad, between 50 and 60 
years ago, I a9 frequ sige seen them hunt sand 0 nm one memorable occasion, 
I remember seeing three otters captured in a cov. He age it -” Bra gaa 
howe farm, part of the estat be Colonel Salkeld, of Holm Hill, 
above the junction of the two rivers. One of the numbe er, being hotly relia nf 
the hounds, sought as uge in "the drain ; and after fruitless efforts to dislodge him 
he i reso 
s Du 
haunt of these animals. In ped of the Cumbe lan | rivers otters a Bes 
very plentiful bern. the past summer. I believe it bya fact that the Caldew i is not 
often the rendezvous of otter-hunters eg Ba but the facts I have stated can 
be ouched for other eye-witnesses besides myself.—Wa. Hopcson, A.L.S.. 
Naturalist, 
4 
