334 BRITISH BATS. 



The Long Eared Bat {Plecotus auritus) — This Bat is readily dis- 

 tinguished from all other species by the extraordinary length of the 

 ears, which nearly equal the length of head and body. The 

 Long Eared Bat is very common in the south of England, and I 

 know of one specimen that was taken at Cobo, and no doubt will be 

 found to occur all over the Island of Guernsey. It inhabits open 

 country and does not, like some species, resort to the neighbourhood 

 of trees. Its voice is a low squeak, but when frightened is said to 

 utter a "querulous note, like the wailing of a very young child." 

 Its haunts during the day are hollow trees. 



The Barbastelle {Barbastella Barbastellus).— This Bat, which is rare 

 in the British Isles, was first discovered at Dartford, in Kent. It 

 has also been taken in Warwickshire (where it is said to be not 

 uncommon), Cambridge, Northampton, Norfolk, and Suffolk, and 

 a couple were taken this year in Radnor in June. The fur of this 

 Bat is remarkably soft and glossy, and varies from deep brown to 

 black. Length of head and body about If of an inch. Tail the 

 same. 



The Serotine {Vespertilio serotinus). — The Serotine was until quite 

 lately considered a rare species, but as several specimens have 

 been taken chiefly in Kent and the Eastern Counties, it can no 

 longer be considered so. It is never seen on damp or cold 

 evenings, and its favourite haunts are gardens, orchards, and 

 the outskirts of woods. During the day it resorts to hollow trees. 

 The general colour of the fur, which is long and soft, is "dark 

 smoky brown." Length of head and body about 2f inches. Tail, 

 2 inches. 



The Noetule or Great Bat (Pterygistes noctula) — First noticed as a 

 British species by Gilbert White, of Selborne. The Noetule is the 

 largest of our British Bats (with the exception of Myotis myotis), 

 measuring over^ four inches from tip of nose to end of tail. In 

 England it is chiefly a southern form, being very common in Surrey 

 and Hampshire and the Midland Counties. It ranges in Britain as 

 far north as Lancashire, but has not as yet been recorded from 

 Wales or Scotland. The Noetule makes its appearance very early 

 in the evening and flies very high ; it was on account of this that 

 Gilbert White named it " Yespertilio altivolans." Its food consists 

 of moths and beetles. It generally resorts to hollow trees during 

 the day. This year, in July, I took nine Noctules out of a hollow 

 willow tree at Esher, Surrey. These Bats have a very strong and 

 disagreeable odour which is caused by the presence of certain glands 

 in the mouth. _ The colour of the fur, which is sleek and remarkably 

 glossy, is of a rich chestnut. 



The Hairy Armed Bat {Pterygistes I eisleri).— Closely resembling a 

 small Noetule in general external appearance. The Hairy Armed 

 Bat may be distinguished by its smaller size and the colour of the fur 

 which is dark brown, and also by a band of short hair on the under 

 side of the forearm to the wrist. It is a rare species in the British 

 Isles, though no doubt it is perhaps sometimes mistaken for the 

 Noetule. It has been recorded from Worcester, Gloucester, and 

 Warwick, and there is one specimen from Belfast in the British 

 Museum ; but it is fairly common in Ireland. 



The Pipistrelle or Common Bat (Pipistrellus pi jnstrellus).— This is 

 by far the commonest of our British Bats, and is to be found all 

 over the British Isles, and in some country lanes on a warm sum- 

 mer's evening they simply swarm. Its food consists of night flying 

 moths and small flies, and it is no uncommon sight to see them 



