NATTERER'S BAT 
habits and usually slept in their cage closely touching each other in 
the darkest corner they could find. 
They became very vigorous when wakened by the warmth of a room 
and if let out would fly for a considerable time, showing a marvellous 
skill in turning and twisting as they searched every corner in the hope 
of finding an outlet. The tail, as far as I could discover, was usually held 
straight out, but occasionally would be slightly curved downwards. They 
showed no fear as they circled at times round my head, at others quite 
low down by my feet. Although they would sometimes attempt to 
bite when handled, their delicate teeth did not appear to be capable 
of penetrating the skin. 
Natterer's Bat is fond of hawking for its food over pools of water 
like Daubenton's Bat, but, according to Mr. Millais, it feeds at a greater 
elevation than the other. It appears to prey on gnats and similar insects, 
but the only food I could persuade my captives to take was milk. 
BECHSTEIN'S BAT. 
Myotis Bechsteini, Leisler. 
Plate 6. 
This rare species, though resembling Natterer's Bat in colour, may 
always be known by the much larger ears, the comparatively shorter 
tragus and the absence of the fringe of short bristles on the interfemoral 
membrane. 
The wings, arising from the base of the toes, measure about ii 
inches from tip to tip when expanded. Mr. Millais, who was fortunate 
enough to capture one alive in Mr. Heatley Noble's cave near Henley- 
on-Thames on March i, igoi, says [Mammah of Qreat 'Britain and 
27 
