294 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



that at first I thought it issued only from my own head ; yet it grew 

 gradually into a loud, sharp clicking, mingled now and then with 

 squeaks and curious purring sounds- evidently the cries of Bats of 

 some species. But I must not stay longer describing effects and 

 sensations. I promptly relit my candle, and reached le grand air. 

 My jacket (an engineering overall) was covered with red slime and 

 drippings of both water and grease ! 



From these somewhat limited experiences, I arrived at the 

 following conclusions, which may have to be modified after 

 further observation. In a measure most of them agree with 

 those suggested by Mr. Coward in his paper communicated to 

 the Zoological Society in April. Mr. Coward's observations were 

 made in Somerset, some time previous to mine in Devon : — 



(1). The Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophusferrum-equinum) 

 does not hybernate, strictly speaking — at least, in the warm 

 winter climate of North Devon. 



(2). In mild weather they leave the caves, and go abroad to 

 feed. 



(3). In very cold weather, or during heavy rains, they probably 

 remain inside the caves, and do not go abroad. 



(4). In this cold weather they probably feed on the insect-life 

 contained in the caves, and on the spider Meta menardi, which 

 lives in the caves, and which the Bats would not probably find 

 outside. 



(5). They show a tendency to return to the same spot to hang 

 up and roost. 



(6). Neither strong light nor strong smells have much effect 

 on them, but they are very sensitive to sound. 



I hope to visit the mines or others in the neighbourhood when 

 the Bats are breeding. 



