BRITISH MAMMALS 



below greyish white. The bases of the hairs above and below are very 

 dark. 



This species is found throughout the greater part of Europe, and 

 according to Barrett-Hamilton, ranges in Asia to Japan, where it is repre- 

 sented by a sub-species. 



In England and Wales, there are few counties where it has not 

 occurred, being common in some localities. Across the border in Scotland 

 it is hardly known, the only reliable evidence of its occurrence there is 

 a specimen in the British Museum from Inveraray, Argyll, while a skin 

 in the collection of the late Robert Grey was supposed to be from 

 Midlothian. 



There are various records for Ireland. 



Natterer's Bat is fond of well-watered woodland country and is sociable 

 in its habits. 



The late R. F. Tomes, writing in Bell's British Quadrupeds (2nd ed. 

 p. 55-56) describes a colony found under the church roof at Arrow, near 

 Alcestor ; here the Bats were clustered in a mass three or four inches 

 thick, six or seven wide and about four feet in length, while a constant 

 movement was going on, as those on the outside endeavoured to push 

 their way inwards, probably for warmth. 



As a winter retreat, Natterer's Bat shows a partiality for caves. Mr. 

 Heatley Noble tells me it is common near Henley-on-Thames, where 

 it hibernates in a cave in the chalk. 



Near Godalming, Surrey, in the cavern already referred to in the 

 account of Daubenton's Bat, I have found it on several occasions 

 hibernating in the vaulted roof. They were all separately lodged in deep 

 crevices among the stones, and sometimes entirely hidden from sight. 

 When disturbed, they uttered a peevish chattering squeak. Two of these, 

 which I kept in confinement for a {^-^ days, were very gentle in their 



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