128 
NATURE NOTES 
Of microchiroptera there are about 400 species, and are, 
with a few exceptions, of dull colouration. Almost all feed 
on insects, but some on blood. The noctule ( Pipistrellus noctula) 
is perhaps the most common of the English bats. It is about 
the size of a large mouse, and is covered with short brown fur, 
which is very soft and silky. It belongs to the family of Vesper- 
tilionidce and is the largest of the English bats. 
The “ long-eared bat ” (Plecotus anritus ) is hardly less 
common, and as its name implies, is easily distinguished by 
its long ears. This bat has the power of throwing its ears 
into very graceful attitudes. When suspended by its feet it 
has a very singular aspect, its beautiful long ears are tucked 
away under its wings and nearly cover the body, the tragus, 
or pointed membrane inside the ear is then exposed, and looks 
like the ear itself, which gives the bat a very different appear- 
ance from when it is on the wing. The only other long-eared 
bat is the Australian long-eared bat ( Nyctophilus fimoriensis). 
Another well known English bat is the pipistrelle ( Vesperugo 
pipistrellus), which is extremely common all over England. 
It is smaller than the long-eared bat, being about the size of 
a dormouse. It has dark mouse-coloured fur and rather small 
ears. There are numerous different species of pipistrelles 
scattered over the world. The horseshoe bats ( Rhinolophus ) 
are found in England, but not so commonly as the noctules 
or pipistrelles. There are two distinct species in England, i.e., 
the greater horseshoe bat (R. ferrum-equinum ) and the lesser 
horseshoe bat ( R . hipposiderus). Both these have very elaborate 
nose-leaves and ears, and the tragus is also present. Horse- 
shoe bats are found all over India and in Europe. They are 
especially notable for choosing very hidden roosting-places. 
Other bats with even more elaborate nose-leaves are found 
in Southern Europe and in Asia. The Persian leaf-bat ( Tricenops 
persicus) has an elaborate structure with three points at the 
top ; but perhaps the most curious of the leaf-nosed bats is 
the “flower-nosed bat” ( Anthops ornatus ) of the Solomon 
Islands, in which the whole front of the face, save the eyes and 
mouth, is covered with a complex and ornate structure, forming 
a complete mask. 
The false vampires ( Megaderma ) belong to the family of 
“ Nycteridce ” and are known by their distinct tragus and tall 
nose-leaf. Some species may almost [be called carnivorous, 
because they prey habitually on smaller species of Chiroptera. 
The African false vampire (Megqdermafrons) is particularly 
noticeable on account of the habit it has of sprinkling the wings 
and back with a yellow powder secreted in a gland in the rump, 
in order to make itself look like a butterfly when on the wing, 
and so deceive its enemies. 
The Egyptian nycteris (N. thebaicus) has very large ears 
