GOULD'S FRUIT BAT. 
27a 
great numbers about Moreton Bay and tlie nortbern distiicts of New South Wales. They could be 
observed “ hanging in dense clusters from the uppermost branches of the lofty gum and other trees, 
which often bend so much under the weight, that the spectator is in momentary expectation of their 
breaking off with a crash, and falling to the ground encumbered with their heavy load of Bats.” The 
same observer remarks that, although their regular activity is crepuscular and nocturnal, they occa- 
sionally seek food for a short time during the day, and he adds when seen flying about the trees in the 
daytime they resemble rooks so closely as to have been frequently mistaken for those birds. Since the 
cultivation of fruit has been carried on extensively in New South Wales and Queensland, these Bats, 
have been found to do a vast amount of injury to the plantations. 
Mr. Gould, speaking of this Bat, says, “ The enormous number that may be seen sleeping pendent 
from the trees in the more secluded parts of the forest are beyond conception. It is not surprising, 
therefore, that the settlers whose abodes may be in the neighbourhood of one of these colonies should 
find their peach-orchards devastated in a single night. Indeed, no one of the native animals is more 
troublesome to the settlers than this large Bat, which, resorting to the fruit-grounds by night, when it 
is impossible to protect them from its attacks, commits the most tearful havoc.” Like the Indian 
species, this Bat is exceedingly fond of the wild fig. 
HEAD OF THE MANED FRUIT BAT. ( Natural Size.) 
HEAD OF THE GREY FRUIT BAT. (Xa£«ral size.) 
GOULD S FRUIT BAT.* 
Mr. Gould described and figured from Northern Australia a large species of Fruit Bat of a 
sombre colour, with a reddish-brown neck-spot, which he identified with the Pterojms funereus of 
Timor, a supposed species which is now regarded as a mere colour-variety of the Great Kalong. The 
Australian Bat is described by Professor Peters as a distinct species under the above name. It is 
about nine inches in length. We have the following observations upon its mode of occurrence and 
habits : — Mr. Gilbert found it to be extremely abundant in the Coburg peninsula. During the day 
the Bats were seen suspended in great numbers from the upper branches of the mangroves overhanging 
the creeks. They constantly emit a very strong and disagreeable odour, which is perceptible at a 
considerable distance. At night they become exceedingly active, and while flying about in quest of 
food they utter a loud, trembling, but shrill whistle. 
Dr. Leichardt, in his expedition from Moreton Bay to Port Essington, found this Bat an excellent 
article of food. According to him it feeds upon fruit and the honey of various flowers. After it had fed 
upon the flowers of the so-called tea-tree, he found it to be unusually fat and delicate ; while those Bats 
which had been revelling among the blossoms of the gum-trees were not so fat, and had a strong 
unpleasant odour. I11 the neighbourhood of the Biver Boper the Bats occurred in myriads, suspended 
in thick clusters on the highest trees in the shady and moist parts of the valley. They started from 
their repose as the travellers passed, and the flapping of their great leathery wings produced a sound- 
like that of a liail-storm. 
Fttropux Gould ii. 
