58 



NORTH AMERICAN. FAUNA 66 



ern Pennsylvania and possibly the higher mountains of the Appa- 

 lachians, north into Canada. It migrates southward quite late in the 

 season. It prefers to roost in coniferous forests, but may also be found 

 in farmyards, city parks, and yards, particularly where coniferous 

 trees are growing. The hoary bat has an extensive home range and 

 may fly a mile or more from its roosting site in search of food. It is a 

 strong and rapid flyer, and Jackson (1961, p. 100) estimates that it 

 can achieve speeds of up to 60 miles an hour. The scarcity of records 

 and specimens from Maryland indicates that it is rare here. In the 

 summer, it occurs in the higher mountains of the Allegheny Mountain 

 section. In other seasons, it may be encountered throughout Maryland. 



Little is known of the breeding habits of this bat. Jackson (1961, 

 pp. 100-101) says that mating probably occurs in September or Octo- 

 ber and the young are born in May or June, thus giving an apparent 

 gestation period of about 8 months. It seems probable, however, that 

 as in some other species of bats spermatozoa survive in the uterus 

 through the winter, and that fertilization takes place early in the 

 spring, giving an actual gestation period of about 90 days. Usually, 

 two young comprise a litter, although it is possible that as many as 

 four may be produced. 



The hoary bat is primarily an insect feeder, but occasionally preys 

 on smaller bats. 



Specimens examined. — Baltimore County: Cockeysville, 1. Prince 

 Georges County: Laurel, 1. District of Cohimhia: 3. 



Other records and reports. — Baltimore City (Merriam, 1887, p. 86). 

 Prirwe Georges County: Berwyn (Tromba, 1954, p. 253) . 



EVENING BAT 

 Nycticeius humeralis humeralis (Rafinesque) 



Vespertilio humeralis Rafinesque, American Monthly Mag., 3 (6): 445, 

 October 1818. 



Type locality. — Kentucky. 



General distribution. — From Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Illinois, south into 

 Florida and Texas, and west into eastern Oklahoma and Kansas. 



Distribution in Maryland. — Probably absent in the higher moun- 

 tains of the Allegheny Mountain and Eidge and Valley sections, but 

 elsewhere it may occur sparingly as a summer resident. 



Distinguishing characteristics. — Teeth 1/3, 1/1, 1/2, 3/3, = 30; super- 

 ficially resembles Myotis but can be easily distinguished by the 

 reduced number of teeth and the short sparse brown fur which is duU 

 umber above and plumbeous at the base; fur on abdomen paler than 

 on dorsum; ears small and thick. The young of this species are con- 

 siderably darker than the adults. 



