Qua drupe th . 3 1 3 



classes) the use of the library and reading-room and a right to attend 

 lectures. A subscription of eight shillings per annum constitutes a 

 member, who is also entitled to vote at the annual election of Com- 

 mittee, and is himself eligible to be nominated to that office. And a 

 subscription of twenty-one shillings per annum constitutes an hono- 

 rary member, who has the further privilege of attending and voting at 

 the Committee. T. B. Hall. 



Coggeshall, September, 1843. 



I 



Note on Bats hy Daylight. The circumstance of the bat's being seen on the wing 

 in the middle of the day, is of no uncommon occurrence, and has been noted in the 

 pages of The Zoologist;' but in these instances no other than the common little pi 

 pistrelle is referred to, with the simple circumstance that the animal was busily em- 

 ployed in hawking for flies. I have repeatedly witnessed the same thing, and even in 

 weather sufficiently cold to warrant the belief that the hunger of the bat must have 

 been severe, to have caused it to take flight. But in the course of the past summer, 

 two instances have come under my notice, which were attended with sufficient novelty 

 to deserve a separate record. May 24, at half-past 3 o'clock in the afternoon, whilst 

 walking in a little plantation of trees, the sky somewhat cloudy, a bat approached and 

 hovered so near to me, as to show that it was much at its ease, and intent on the pur- 

 suit of prey. I observed it take a lly from off" a leaf without alighting, and it flew so 

 gently and repeatedly near me as to afford me an opportunity of easily discerning that 

 it was the long-eared species. So little of timidity did it display, that I made two or 

 three attempts to strike it down with a branch of a tree covered with leaves, before it 

 took the alarm and changed its situation. Its flight was visibly different from that of 

 the pipistrelle, being more heavy, less agile, and with more of the owl-like flap of the 

 wings. The other instance occurred on the 30th of August, at half-past 5 o'clock, 

 with the sky clear, and the sun shining bright. It was the pipistrelle, and presently 

 after its appearance it mounted high in the air — judging from the neighbouring hills, 

 probably not less than 250 feet ; and while making busy circles in pursuit of food, it 

 had the ill luck to be perceived by a swallow, which immediately began a pursuit. It 

 persecuted the poor animal by repeatedly striking at it, and following it closely in all 

 its rapid turns, until at last it compelled the bat to descend to the shelter of the houses. 

 But when the persecutor had withdrawn, the bat boldly mounted again to the region 

 that seemed to teem with its favourite food. It was, however, again beset, and two or 

 three swallows joined in the persecution, which, after no small time, and various at- 

 tempts to keep aloft, at last compelled the bat to seek security by descending to shel- 

 ter. Satisfied with their success, the swallows speedily rejoined their companions in 

 the higher regions, where was a multitude of them engaged in their ordinary avoca- 

 tions; upon which they seemed to have regarded the bat as an unauthorized intruder. 

 But a few minutes only had elapsed, when I was surprized to see the persevering lit- 

 tle animal again mount aloft, and engage with much activity in the pursuit of what 

 he seems to have thought he had as good a right to as his more powerful tyrants. But 

 the last attempt was more unfortunate than the former ; for incited perhaps by what 

 they probably would have denominated the impudence of the proceeding, a host ol 



