THE NOCTULE, OR GREAT BAT 



The Noctule has a wide distribution over the temperate parts of Europe 

 and Asia, and also inhabits North and East Africa. 



In England it is more or less common in various localities in the 

 southern, western, and midland counties, and also in Yorkshire, though 

 very rare in Durham and Northumberland. 



In Wales it is plentiful. 



No authentic examples had been obtained in Scotland till October 13th, 

 1904, when, as recorded by Mr. Millais {Mammals of Great Britain 

 and Ireland^ Appendix iii.), one was shot at Dalguise, Perthshire, by Mr. 

 Charles Eversfield. Another was obtained at Duffus, Elgin, on October ist, 

 1909, while some more are said to have been observed near Elgin and 

 Lhanbryde {Ann. Scott. !^(at. History^ 191O) 52-53). There seems to 

 be no authentic record of the occurrence of this species in Ireland. 



The Noctule was first detected on the Continent of Europe by 

 Daubenton, and described by him in 1759. Later, in 1771, it was 

 discovered by Gilbert White at Selborne, who obtained two examples in 

 the summer of that year, and gave an accurate description of the animal, 

 which he appropriately named vespertilis altivolans^ from its manner of 

 feeding high up in the air. 



Throughout the year this species is sociable in its habits, large 

 numbers congregating in holes in trees or under the roofs of buildings, 

 the latter being generally used for winter quarters, while in summer, tree- 

 holes are more favoured. Bell, quoting Pennant, states that the Rev. Dr. 

 Buckhouse saw one hundred and eighty-five taken in one night from the 

 eaves of Queen's College, Cambridge, and Mr. Millais, in his Mammals 

 of Great Britain and Ireland (vol. i. p. 64), says : *' Near Cambridge and 

 at Frostendon in Suffolk, I have seen large numbers on the wing at the 

 same time. When residing at the latter place in 1883 and 1884 I was 

 much struck with the immense numbers of Noctules which lived in some 



I. 17 c 



