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BATS. 
rather long and silky, of a yellowish-red colour near the roots of the ears hut 
elsewhere reddish-brown above, and dusky beneath. This bat, the smallest of the 
British species, is distributed all over Europe, the temperate parts of Asia, and 
North Africa. It does not enter India, but is found in the valley of Kashmir, and 
also at our frontier station at Gilgit. 
This being the commonest of the British bats, and also one which frequents 
the neighbourhood of human habitations, we are naturally more fully acquainted 
with its habits than with those of many other species; and the following account 
is mainly derived from the excellent description given in Bell’s British Quadruped*. 
THE PIPISTRELLE (nat. size). 
The pipistrelle appears earlier and retires later than any other English bat, making 
its first appearance as early as the middle of March, and not finally hibernating 
till winter has actually set in. Its flight is extremely swift and rapid, and accom¬ 
panied by the sudden turns and descents which have probably been observed by 
all. The favourite resorts of this species in inhabited regions appear to be old 
buildings and roofs, but it seems to avoid the roofs of stacks and ricks, which 
might have been thought to have afforded safe cover. Probably, however, this 
avoidance may be due to the rats and mice which are so frequently found in such 
situations. Trees appear to be but seldom selected, either as a temporary hiding- 
place, or for the hibernation. In uninhabited districts crannies and clefts in rocks 
serve as shelter. The favourite food of the pipistrelle is said to be gnats; and the 
