THE MOUSE-COLOURED BAT. 
305 
In its form and general proportions this Bat resembles our common British Pipistrelle, as also in 
the characters of the skull. In its dentition it lias a still closer affinity to an Australian species, 
Gould’s Bat (/ Scotophilt.cs Gouldii). The fur is of a blackish-brown colour on the head and back, 
becoming chestnut-brown on the rump ; the lower surface is of a similar colour, but browner, and 
becomes reddish-brown towards the tail. The hairs are of one colour throughout their length. The 
length of the head and body is rather more than two inches, and that of the tail about an inch and a 
half. This Bat inhabits the middle island of New Zealand. Nothing appears to be known of its 
habits. 
THE MOUSE-COLOURED BAT * 
The genus Vespertiho, as now restricted, comprehends a very considerable number of species 
distributed in nearly all parts of the world. It differs from Vesper iujo in having the outer margin of 
the ear terminated opposite the level of the tragus, and not produced towards the angle of the mouth, 
and is further characterised by the nostrils being simple and crescent-shaped, and scarcely projecting 
from the muzzle. Eight species inhabit Europe, and five of these are found in Britain. 
The Common Bat of the continent of Europe, the Mouse-coloured Bat of Prof. Bell ( Vesper - 
tilio murinus ), is a large species more than three inches and a half in length. Its fur is of a pale 
reddish-brown colour above and greyish- white beneath, but with the bases of all the hairs black ; 
the head is long, the ears oval, narrowed towards the apex, as long as the head, and the tragus is 
nearly half as long as the ear, narrow, pointed, with its inner margin quite straight. The membranes 
are of a yellowish-brown colour. Vesper tilio murinus is met with in the north-western Himalayas, 
and extends thence through Syria into Northern Africa. It is 
common in Central and Southern Europe, but in England is one 
of the rarest Bats * in fact the only known British-caught specimen 
was taken (most conveniently) in the gardens of the old British 
Museum. Its claim to be considered indigenous rests, therefore, 
upon a very insecure foundation. In many parts of Europe, 
however, this species is exceedingly abundant, and lives by 
hundreds together, chiefly in church- towers and other similar 
localities, issuing forth in the evening to prey upon the insects 
which fly at that time. Moths are said to be its favourite victims, 
and the harder parts of these insects, with portions of the wings, 
are found unaltered in the Bat’s excrements. Notwithstanding 
their social habits, these Bats are exceedingly quarrelsome ; they fight vigorously with their sharp 
teeth and the claws of their thumbs, often tearing each other severely, and even breaking the slender 
bones in the wings of their adversaries. 
HEAD OF MOUSE-COLOURED BAT. 
NATTERER’S BAT.I 
The Reddish-grey Bat, or Natterer’s Bat (Vesper tilio JVattereri), is an undoubted native of this 
country, although it appears to be local in its distribution. It has been taken near London, at Swaff- 
ham in Cambridgeshire, at Colchester and Norwich, at Ckisleliurst (hibernating in a chalk cavern), 
and at Arrow, near Alcester, in Warwickshire. It has also occurred in Ireland. It inhabits the con- 
tinent of Europe from the Ural Mountains westward to Belgium and France, and in the south occurs 
on the shores of the Mediterranean. Apparently its range does not extend into Asia. 
Natterer’s Bat has the fur reddish-grey above, and whitish beneath, the hairs of which it is 
composed being dark towards the base, with light tips. The ears are oblong-ovate, and about as long 
as the head, and the tragus is nearly two-thirds the length of the ear ; but the most distinctive 
character of the species consists in the margin of the interfemoral membrane, from the tips of the spurs 
to that of the tail, being fringed with a row of long stiff hams. In its social habits this Bat seems to 
agree with the Mouse-coloured Bat, but is much more amiable in its disposition. Specimens received 
by Mr. Bell from a cavern in the chalk at Ckisleliurst (where they were found hibernating in company 
* Vespertilio murinus. 
+ Vespertilio JVattereri. 
