474 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



them use the interfemoral membrane as a pouch, nor have I been 

 able to detect them using the thumb to rend asunder their prey, 

 as Mr. O. Grabham (ante, p. 131) states they do. It is certain 

 that the oblique downward plunge, so noticeable in the flight of 

 the Noctule, is not always due to the loss of balance which would 

 be involved in bringing the thumb to the mouth, for I have often 

 seen Noctules plunge when the light was sufficiently good to show 

 that both wings were fully extended. Mr. T. A. Coward, who 

 has constantly watched Noctules in Dunham Park, suggests that 

 a loss of balance would involve a vertical fall such as occurs 

 when one wing is broken by shot, and not an oblique dive with 

 extended wings. It must be remembered, however, that the diet 

 of the Noctule is not restricted to large beetles (Melolontha and 

 Geot7 , upes), and neither the pouch nor the thumb would be 

 required to secure or dismember small insects ; but whether this 

 species uses the interfemoral membrane as a pouch, as its con- 

 gener the Pipistrelle undoubtedly does, could be definitely settled 

 by observing individuals in captivity. 



A number of Lesser Horseshoe Bats (Rhinolophus hippo- 

 siderus), obtained at Cefn, Denbighshire, on March 4th, died 

 before the end of the third day of their captivity. I could not 

 induce them to feed, and they were so loath to take wing that I 

 was unable to ascertain definitely the position of the tail during 

 flight. In repose this organ is reflexed over the back (cf. B. 

 Newstead, Zool. 1897, p. 538), and when on the ground the Bat 

 carries it erect, L e. at right angles to the long axis of its body. 

 The legs showed very distinctly against a white ceiling when 

 viewed from below, but this was possibly due to the shortness of 

 the tail, and not to its being erect or recurved. Even if the tail 

 were curved beneath the body during flight, its shortness and the 

 small extent of the interfemoral membrane would constitute only 

 an inefficient pouch, and it seems improbable that in the genus 

 Rhinolophus these parts subserve the same purpose as in Plecotus, 

 Myotis, and Pipistrellus. 



I have put together these notes in the hope that others 

 interested in the British Bats, who may be able to obtain the 

 Barbastelle, Natterer's Bat, the Noctule, and more especially the 

 Horseshoe Bats, will make observations on the methods adopted 

 by them to secure their prey. 



