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BATS. 
The serotine is of particular interest as having the widest distribution of any 
known bat, and being the only representative of the order Chiroptera which is 
common to the eastern and western hemispheres. Seeing that bats are, from their 
power of flight, able to traverse with ease long distances over sea, it seems at first 
sight very remarkable that the serotine is the only species which has succeeded in 
crossing from the Old World to the New. It is, however, probable that most of 
these animals are unable to withstand the cold of the regions about Behring Strait, 
where the passage between the two hemispheres is the shortest, and have hence 
failed to spread themselves in the same manner as purely terrestrial Mammals like 
the reindeer, elk, and glutton. 
The rano-e of the serotine extends from England to Siberia, and from Northern 
Germany to Northern Africa, whence it is continued through Arabia and Asia 
Minor to the valleys of the Himalaya. In Africa it is found as far south as 
the Gabun district on the west coast, and it probably extends to the Camerun 
Mountains. In America, where it was at one time regarded as distinct from the 
European species, it appears to be widely spread from Lake Winnipeg in the north 
to the Isthmus of Darien, and is met with throughout all the West Indies. The 
serotine from the Gabun constitutes a distinct variety, distinguished by the fur of 
the under-parts being of a pale yellowish-white, and thus forming a marked 
contrast with the dark brown fur of the back. 
The serotine, which is a comparatively rare and local species in England, is 
said to have very similar habits to the noctule, so far as regards the length of its 
period of hibernation, and its consequent late appearance in the spring are 
concerned. It is nearly always found alone, and has a characteristically slow 
fluttering flight; while, as its name implies, it does not venture forth till late in 
the evening, and, in suitable weather, continues on the wing till dawn. The 
southern counties appear to be the only part of England in which this bat is 
found; but in France, and other continental countries, it is widely distributed, and 
far from uncommon. Observers in the country last named state that it may 
generally be found flying around the tallest trees in forests; and that it frequents 
the timber yards in Paris, among the woodstacks of which it conceals itself during 
the day. In North America, where it is known as the dusky, or Carolina, bat, the 
habits of the serotine appear to be very nearly the same as in Europe. Thus, in 
writing of these bats, Dr. A. K. Fisher observes that “ they are the last to make 
their appearance in the evening. In fact, when it gets so dark that objects are 
blended in one uncertain mass, and the bat-hunter finds that he is unable to shoot 
with any precision, the Carolina bats make their appearance as mere dark shadows, 
flitting here and there while busily engaged in catching insects. We have to make 
a snap-shot as they dodge in and out from the dark tree-tops; and we are left in 
doubt as to the result until in the gloom we may perchance see our little black- 
and-tan, seemingly as interested in the result as we are, pointing to the dead 
animal. This species is particularly fond of fields well surrounded by trees.” 
Parti-coloured The last of the bats of the genus Vesperugo, reckoned as British, 
Bat - is the parti-coloured bat ( V. discolor), which, while belonging to 
the same group as the serotine, differs in that the widest part of the short 
tragus is above, instead of below the middle. Apart from this, the parti-coloured 
