20 
Vertebrate Zoology Section oj the Y.N.TJ. 
many of the waders its extermination in England resulted partly from 
the drainage of the fens, the ubiquitous egg collector, and the systematic 
netting of the adults for table purposes. The bird’s reputation as a deli- 
cacy may be gauged from the statement by Pennant in 1766, that it was 
sold from 2s. bd. to 5s. , a very considerable sum in those days. It bred 
regularly in this country up to about 1824, and occasionally up to the 
middle of the century, but now only visits us as a migrant. In photo- 
graphing a nest and pair of birds at three yards’ range, the lecturer had 
ample opportunity of thoroughly studying both appearance and habits 
of both sexes, and noted that along the top edge of the upper mandible, 
a strip of slate colour occurs, a detail not referred to in Ornithological 
text books. 
Contrary to the experience of other bird photographers, the lecturer 
had no difficulty in erecting a tent in close proximity to the nest 
without unduly scaring the owners, in fact, when the strangeness of the 
erection had worn off, no extraordinary precautions had to be taken. 
The graceful approach to the nest was commented upon — the caress 
of the male bird when he wished to take his turn on the eggs, by gently 
running his beak along his partner's back several times in succession, 
charmed the observer by its apparent affection and solicitude. 
Mr. A. Whitaker gave a paper on ‘ Leisler’s ’ or the ‘Hairy-armed 
Hat.’ 
The distribution of Leisler’s Bat in England, has hitherto been deter- 
mined from records in three widely separated districts, the Avon Valley, 
Cheshire and West Riding of Yorkshire. (In Ireland, it is plentiful). 
This disparity and isolation of habitat led the lecturer to suspect its more 
general distribution and that observation would lead to a great extension 
of the areas. 
When one considers that only about twenty reliable and energetic 
naturalists are dealing with the Hat family in the country, and that Leisler’s 
in general appearance closely resembles the common Noctule, such a 
marked discrepancy of records is readily appreciated. Systematic 
observation would do much to increase our knowledge of the particular 
species and the lecturer had, during the year, seen on the Lincolnshire 
borders, several bats flying, which he had no doubt were Leisler’s. Close 
comparison with the Noctule revealed marked distinctions, not apparent 
in casual observation. Leisler’s is slightly less in wing expanse, measuring 
12 inches against 13^ of the Noctule, but obviously this is only relative 
and cannot be safely applied to individual specimens. 
Another distinction lies in the dentition of the incisor teeth, but the 
lecturer found a more reliable and easy method of identification by com- 
paring the fur, every hair of Leisler’s being paler towards the roots, whereas 
those of the Noctule are darker in that direction. In flight it would be 
found about the altitude of the tree tops — twice as high as the pipistrelle, 
but not so high as the X octule. 
Most of the book illustration depicting bats in flight were inaccurate, 
insomuch as his manv attempts of photographing the animal in flight 
had never shewn the wings to reach above the level of the back, as in the 
case of birds, the tips however, almost or quite met in the down stroke. 
An exposure of 1 200 part of a second revealed only a blurred patch in the 
wing area, suggesting at least several wing beats in that time. 
This species commences flight generally just after sunset on mild nights 
during Spring, Summer and Autumn, and continues for about 1 1 to 2 hours 
only, re-emerging at dawn for a shorter period. 
During summer the general rule is for the two sexes to separate and 
congregate in parties in the holes of trees. In Winter both sexes are found 
in mixed company in old buildings and tree holes. 
This bat’s wild activity in flight is in remarkable contrast to its 
lethargy during forty-nine fiftieths of its life. It hibernates from the end 
of November until early March in unbroken sleep. 
Naturalist, 
