636 



REPORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



two hundred skulls of the red bat were found among the masses of 

 fallen stone that cover the floor. A few were also found in Upper 

 Spring Cave at Mitchell. In the same chamber, only about twenty 

 skulls were found of the three species which now congregate there 

 by the hundred. The red bat was sometimes seen flying about in 

 this vicinity in the early twilight of the summer evenings, and it is 

 quite common at Bloomington. Its absence from the caves can not 

 be attributed to its absence from the region. The facts indicate that 

 the habits of the species have been changing and that it has aban- 

 doned the cave dwelling habit (at least in this region) in recent 

 times. 



This is one of the species of bats said to have a seasonal migra- 

 tion. It has never been found in northern latitudes in winter, and 

 has been taken in southern localities at that season, from which it is 

 absent in summer. 



The females of this species have two pairs of teats, whereas most 

 bats have but a single pair. In correlation with this structural pe- 

 culiarity, they bear a larger number of young than most bats. The 

 most frequent number is, perhaps, three. Two are quite frequent 

 and there are two instances on record of females containing four 

 embryos. 



A female dissected at Bloomington contained three embryos 

 about two millimeters in length. The young are probably born 

 about the middle of June. They are darker in color than the adults. 



Godman relates an incident which shows the maternal instinct 

 to be strong in these animals. ''In June, 1823, the son of Mr. Gil- 

 lespie, keeper of the city square, caught a young red bat which he 

 took home with him. Three hours afterward, in the evening, as 

 he was conveying it to the museum in his hand, while passing near 

 the place where it was caught, the mother made her appearance, 

 followed the boy for two squares, flying around him, and finally 

 alighted on his breast, such was her anxiety to save her offspring. 

 Both were brought to the Museum, the young one firmly adhering 

 to its mother's tail." 



Coues and Yarrow state that this species mates in the air while 

 flying, Imt this statement needs confirmation, as all other species of 

 bats whose mating habits are known mate while at rest. 



