GREAT BAT. 23 



out noticing a manoeuvre which at first looks like the 

 falling of a tumbler pigeon, hut on closer observation 

 proves to be simply a closing of the vs^ings, and a con- 

 sequent drop of about a foot. Sometimes this is re- 

 peated every few yards, as long as in sight. It is 

 occasioned by some large and intractable insect having 

 been captured, and the anterior joint of the wing, with 

 its well-armed thumb, is required to assist in retaining it 

 until masticated. Sometimes, however, food is not so 

 readily obtained. "With a cold east wind, or indeed a 

 strong wind from any quarter, a change of hunting 

 ground is required, and the Noctule may often be seen 

 taking a humble and silent flight in some sheltered 

 corner, fluttering about with half-closed wings, and ap- 

 pearing to be very little at home, or, indeed, like himself, 

 for we can recall an instance when several were shot under 

 the belief that they were of some unknown species. 



The geographical range of the Noctule is very con- 

 siderable. As a British species it appears to be confined 

 to England, and the most northern locality from which 

 we have received specimens is Northallerton, in York- 

 shire. In Europe, it appears to be pretty generally 

 distributed ; M. Temminck says, more abundantly in 

 the central than northern part. It is included by 

 Nilsson in his " Skandinavisk Fauna," by Brandt in his 

 " Saugethiere Russlands ; " by Schinz in his " Fauna 

 Helvetica," and by Prince Lucien Bonaparte in his 

 "Fauna Italica." But it occurs in Asia also, and in 

 Africa. Specimens have been sent to the Leyden 

 Museum from Japan ; and from an examination of the 

 type of Mr. W. Hodgson's Scotophilus labiatus, from 

 Nepaul, we are convinced that it is no other than the 

 present species. Many specimens have been sent with 



