NATTERER'S BAT 



habits and usually slept in their cage closely touching each other in 

 the darkest corner they could find. 



They became very vigorous when v^^akened by the w^armth of a room 

 and if let out would fly for a considerable time, showing a marvellous 

 skill in turning and twisting as they searched every corner in the hope 

 of finding an outlet. The tail, as far as 1 could discover, was usually held 

 straight out, but occasionally would be slightly curved downwards. They 

 showed no fear as they circled at times round my head, at others quite 

 low down by my feet. Although they would sometimes attempt to 

 bite when handled, their delicate teeth did not appear to be capable 

 of penetrating the skin. 



Natterer's Bat is fond of hawking for its food over pools of water 

 like Daubenton's Bat, but, according to Mr. Millais, it feeds at a greater 

 elevation than the other. It appears to prey on gnats and similar insects, 

 but the only food I could persuade my captives to take was milk. 



BECHSTEIN'S BAT. 



Myotis Bechsteini, Leisler. 

 Plate 6. 



This rare species, though resembUng Natterer's Bat in colour, may 

 always be known by the much larger ears, the comparatively shorter 

 tragus and the absence of the fringe of short bristles on the interfemoral 



membrane. 



The wings, arising from the base of the toes, measure about ii 

 inches from tip to tip when expanded. Mr. Millais, who was fortunate 

 enough to capture one alive in Mr. Heatley Noble's cave near Henley- 

 on-Thames on March i, 1901, says {Mammals of great 'Britain and 



27 



