NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 331 



the autumnal appearance of these animals. The middle 

 of September, however, may be set down as the usual 

 period of their visitation. In October, November, and 

 December, a few of these curious animals may be ob- 

 served at evening twilight, in vigorous flight over some 

 secluded valley, creek, or pond, twisting and turning (at 

 acute angles) in pursuit of their insect prey, and affording 

 ample proof of the extraordinary power of wing with which 

 nature has endowed them. 



From the circumstance of the only two species yet ob- 

 tained, being common to North America, viz., the " Hoary 

 Bat" {Vespertilio pruinosus), and the Silver-haired Bat 

 ( Vespertilio noctivagans) of De Kay, it may be considered 

 as beyond a doubt, that these interesting strangers come to 

 us from that portion of the globe. 



Admitting such to be the case, let us enquire how these 

 aeronauts have been enabled to cross an expanse of six or 

 eight hundred miles of ocean in order to reach the Ber- 

 mudas, and whether we should regard them in the light of 

 accidental travellers blown off the American coast, or as 

 creatures guided by the finger of Heaven (instinctively, as 

 we term it), seeking a more southern abode. 



I learn from the intelligent master of an American 

 brigantine, recently in this port, that, in the month of 

 October last ( 1 851), while on a voyage from Newport to 

 South Carolina, his vessel being from a hundred and fifty 

 to two hundred miles from the land, with a strong westerly 

 wind blowing at the time, a Bat, of "a reddish-brown 

 colour," came on board during the night, and was captured 

 by the seamen, in whose possession he saw it. Here, then, 

 is a proof of the power of the Bat to extend its flight for a 

 considerable distance over sea. May we not infer that its 

 route, thus far, had been performed subsequently to the 

 previous setting of the sun ? and had not the animal's 



