THE SEROTINE. 
301 
one, and the finding of only a single embryo in each of the three females which died soon after they came 
into Mr. Daniel l\s possession, taken in conjunction with observations to the same effect which have 
been made upon the female of the Pipistrelle, and of several other species of Bats, would seem to show 
that the Bats in general produce only one at a birth. 
THE SEROTINE.* 
Three other species of Vesperugo occur in Britain. One of these, the Serotine (V serotinus ), 
is nearly as large as the Noctule, and closely resembles that species in some respects in its habits. 
The head and body in the Serotine are about two inches and two-thirds in length ; the ears are ovate- 
triangular, and a little shorter than the head ; the tragus is a little more than one-third the length of 
the ear ; and the extremity of the tail projects nearly a quarter of an inch from the membrane. The 
fur, which is soft and silky, is usually chestnut-brown above, and yellowish-grey beneath, but it is 
liable to vary more or less ; British specimens being sometimes of a greyish tinge, whilst some from 
the Asiatic side of the Ural Mountains arc described as having the upper parts yellowish cream-colour, 
and the lower surface yellowish-white. Like the preceding species, the Serotine is widely distributed, 
being found apparently over a great part of Europe, and throughout the temperate regions of Asia, at 
least as far east as the Himalayas ; whilst specimens have been identified with it, which were brought 
from the northern parts of Africa, as far south as the mountains near the Gaboon. In England it is found 
only in the South-eastern counties, and is said to occur in the neighbourhood of London. Folkestone 
and the Isle of Wight are other recorded localities. In France it is not uncommon, frequenting the 
forests, and flying amongst the lofty trees ; it is also found in the timber yards of Paris. Like the 
Noctule it is late in making its appearance in the spring, and it also flies late at night, wdience its 
specific name. In France it bears one young one about the end of May. 
'tp /di) , 
HEAD Of rAllTI-COLOl HKI> HAT. 
TIIE PARTI-COLOURED BAT.f 
Of the Parti -coloured Bat ( Vesperugo discolor) only a single specimen has been taken in 
this country, and it was obtained by Dr. Leach many years ago at Plymouth. The probability is, as- 
indicated by Mr. Bell, that tliis individual must have been conveyed 
to Plymouth in the rigging of some vessel. On the continent of 
Europe it is found chiefly in Russia and Germany, but does not 
extend into Belgium, Holland, and France. It has also been obtained 
from Central Asia and from the Himalayas. This Bat is of the same 
size as the Serotine, and is perhaps the handsomest of the European 
species, the fur of the upper surface being of a fine chestnut or deep 
brown colour, with the extreme tips of the hairs pale, or even some- 
times white, giving the fur a finely-marbled appearance, while that 
of the lower parts is grey at the base and white at the tips, with a 
reddish-brown patch on the middle of the chest and belly. The ears are about two-thirds the length 
of the head, oval, and directed outwards (see figure), their outer margin produced nearly to the angles 
of the mouth, and their inner margin with a projecting lobe at the base. The Parti-coloured Bat is 
said to haunt towns, and to come abroad early in the eve nin g. 
The Hairy-armed Bat ( Vesperugo Leislen) also for a long time founded its claim to be regarded as 
a British species upon a single specimen, but of late years it has occurred at several localities in the 
midland counties of England and in Ireland. It is a little smaller than the preceding species, the 
head and body measuring only two inches and a half in length, and is characterised especially by 
having a broad band of hair upon the wing-membrane along the whole course of the fore -arm. The fur 
is bright chestnut above and brownish -grey on the under surface. It is found generally about villages, 
and appears to take up its residence in buildings. On the continent it seems to be pretty generally 
distributed, and it extends, like the preceding species, over the temperate parts of Asia. Specimens 
have also been brought from the Azores and Madeira, and it is believed to live in Algeria. 
39 
# Vesperugo serotinus. 
+ Vesperugo discolor 
