HABITS OF THE GREATER HORSESHOE BAT. 293 



wing when I pulled it out, climbed about the wall when I attempted 

 to dislodge it, and turned over when I placed it on its back on the 

 floor, but nevertheless it seemed asleep and unconscious, and its 

 eyes were closed. However, as soon as I took it to a warm 

 room it very quickly came round, and opened its ej^es, vibrated 

 its ears, and lifted its head, and then flew round the room. 



On several occasions during its captivity it made a sharp 

 clicking sound, probably a snap of the jaws. I found it a very 

 thirsty little creature, and Mr. Coward remarks that his Bat 

 " drank like an old toper." I was unable to persuade it to eat 

 readily. It fed once or twice when I was not at hand. Mr. Coward 

 observed that his captives, when they fed, did not feed on the 

 wing. He suggests that this species, as a rule, does not devour 

 its prey when on the wing, but conveys it to some spot where it 

 can hang when feeding. This was "the invariable method " of 

 his captives. He has sent me an analysis of the dung of these 

 Bats. The dung was probably deposited in the warmer months, 

 and the analysis was prepared by Mr. Newstead. Among other 

 things, it states that about — 



68 per cent, of pellets examined contained remains of Lepidoptera. 

 66 ,, ,, ,, Coleoptera. 



,, ,, Diptera. 



,, ,, Arachnida. 



,, ,, Hymenoptera. 



,, ,, Trichoptera. 



Of the Coleoptera, at least 44 per cent, were of the genus 

 Geotrupes. 



On my fourth visit to the mines (Jan. 11th) my light suddenly 

 went out, owing to a draught as I stood in the largest boring C on 

 the edge of a deep pit of water. I was left in complete darkness. I 

 heard the echo from far away in the long dark passage stretching 

 in front as each drop of water fell from the roof into the pool 

 below. It was uncanny. Each drop sounded distinctly, and had a 

 mellow musical ring that was fascinating — more fascinating in 

 the darkness. I felt well-nigh isolated. It is said that absolute 

 isolation very quickly induces madness, but that horrible sensa- 

 tion of absolute isolation is rare, if it exists. Except for the 

 water, everything was as still as summer on the downs. But 

 presently I began to detect a slight indescribable noise, so slight 



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