56 
THE MAMMALS OF THE BRISTOL DISTRICT. 
C. Lloyd-Morgan and H. J. Chai’bonnier in “ British Association 
Handbook ” (1898). 
T. A. Coward, F.Z.S,, Proceedings Zool. Soc. (1907). 
Do. ‘"Manchester Memoirs” (1908). 
“ Victoria History of Somerset.” 
“Victoria History of Gloucestershire.” 
CHIROPTERA. 
The Greater Horse-shoe Bat. — Rhinolophus ferrum-equinumiJuQdoch..) 
Frequent in the towers of Bristol and Wells Cathedrals, also in 
numbers in the Mendip caves at Cheddar and Burrington, and at 
Westbury-on-Trym, and Clevedon. For account of the life history of 
this species from observations made at Cheddar, see T. A. Coward, 
F.Z.S. , Proceedings Zool. Society, 1907, and Manchester Memoirs, 
1908. 
' The Lesser Horse-Shoe Bat. — Rhinolophus hipposideros (Leach.) 
Generally distributed in caves at Dundry (in April), caves at 
Westbury-on-Trym (in March), and with the previous species at 
Cheddar and Burrington; also at Shepton Mallet (see also account as 
above, T. A. Coward, F.Z.S.) 
The Long-eared Bat. — Plecotus auritus (Linn.) 
Generally distributed. This species is of a gentle disposition, and 
lives well in confinement ; it becomes very tame, and comes to a call ; 
its way of folding back its long ears, and leaving the tragus projecting 
when at rest, gives it a very singular appearance. 
The Noctule, or Great Bat. — Vesperugo noctula {^chvdbQv.) 
Generally distributed, and sometimes abundant ; this species 
frequents hollow trees, oftenest old ash trees, living in colonies of 
from 20 to 60 individuals. Such a colony found in June was composed 
of all females. In captivity this bat is savage and bites readily ; they 
feed on cockchafers, dorbeetles, tipulidoe, and noctuid moths, and 
consume an immense amount of food, they drink milk readily, and 
have a curious habit of throwing the head back whilst devouring an 
insect, which they can seize readily on the ground. Their value to 
the farmer and gardener is great, as they destroy vast quantities of 
insects like the “ turnip moth,” that by their nocturnal habits escape 
other insectivorous creatures. The male is constantly smaller than the 
female, this latter often measures up to 14-inches in expanse. Mr. C. 
Oldham, F.Z.S., states that this Bat generally comes out for an hour 
or two at dusk, and again for an hour or two at dawn. 
The Pipistrelle or Common Bat. — Vesperugo pipistrellus (Key.) 
Common, resorting to old buildings and caves, but rather scarce in 
some parts of the district. Our earliest Bat to appear in spring, and 
