A HISTORY OF SUSSEX CHEIROPTERA 1. Greater Horseshoe Bat. Rhinolophus ferrum-equinum, Schreber. Like most of the rarer bats this species appears to be very restricted in its range. The greater horseshoe bat is not known as a resident within the county, and we have only been able to ascertain the capture of a single specimen, which was found hiding in the sail of a lugger on Brighton beach in January, 1890. It was sent in the flesh to Mr. Eardley Hall at Henfield, where we have recently seen it. 2. Long-eared Bat. Plecotus auritus, Linn. The long-eared bat is generally distributed and common throughout the county. Mr. Borrer has recorded a 'snow-white' specimen taken in May, 1872, at Horsham; a similar specimen from the same premises was in the possession of the late Mr. Frederick Bond {Zoologist, 1874, p. 4128). The large ears, hy which the species may easily be identified, are laid backwards along the shoulders when the animal is at rest. This bat is generally described as an inhabitant of the open country, but we have found it frequently in wooded districts, and hibernating in the same cave with Bechstein's, Natterer's and Daubenton's bats. All these species even in January will soon shake off their torpidity and fly about a room. 3. Barbastelle. Barbastella barbastellus, Schr. Bell ' — Barbastellus daubentonii. The only recorded instance of the barbas- telle for Sussex is the statement by Mr. C. W. Brazenor that in 1886 he received a specimen from his brother, which was shot by the latter at Horsham {Zoologist, 1887, p. 151). On a recent visit however to Mr. Eardley Hall he showed us a beautiful speci- men of this rare bat which he had taken with two others from an old summer house in his garden at Henfield in the spring of 1880. The barbastelle is easily recognized by its rich dark coat interspersed with white hair on the back. Mr. Hall, who has made a special study of the British bats and knew of the existence of this family party, says that they invariably fly by day. 4. Serotine. Vespertilio serotinus, Schr. Bell — Scotophilus serotinus. In 1 85 1 the late Mr. W. Borrer turned out at Cowfold fifteen specimens of this species which he had brought from Dover 1 j4 History of British Quadrupeds, ed. 2 (1874), Castle, Kent. In the following year they were seen at Cowfold, after which they dis- appeared ; but in 1870 or 1871 Mr. Borrer found this bat common at Henfield, and formed the opinion that his specimens had probably migrated to that place {Zoologist, 1874, p. 4126). There is a colony of about twenty individuals established beneath the eaves of the rectory at Guestling, Hast- ings. The Rev. E. N. Bloomfield writes that he first noticed them about the year 1888. They first appear about the middle of April, and are last seen towards the end of October. They are usually preceded in their vespertinal flight by the smaller species, Plecotus auritus and Pipistrellus pipistrellus. Examples of both sexes and of the young have been taken from outhouses on the estate of Mr. W. Lucas-Shadwell at Fairlight, Hastings (Ruskin Butterfield). Mr. Eardley Hall discovered a colony at the Vicarage house, Burpham, Arundel, on April 27, 1893. He noticed eighteen in all, and was so severely bitten that blood was drawn {Zoologist, 1893, pp. 223, 224). In the following year he also noticed a colony in Arundel church. The same observer states that the serotines are still numerous at Hen- field, and that they do not fly at a high elevation like the noctule, but often close to the ground. Two bats assigned to this species by Mr. W. B. Ellis were obtained in the roof of the parish church at Arundel, October 5, 1893. Next day he received a third 'killed four miles away ' {Zoologist, 1893, p. 458). 5. Noctule or Great Bat. Pipistrellus noctula, Schr. Bell — Scotophilus noctula. This species, the Vespertilio altivolans of Gilbert White,* ' from it's manner of feeding high in the air,' is common in most parts of Sussex. The late Professor T. Bell con- sidered that the noctule was rarely seen abroad much later than July, but it may frequently be seen in August and September, and Mr. William Borrer shot one at Cowfold on November 3, 1862. The number of young produced at a birth is stated by some authori- ties to be two, but we have never taken more than one embryo from the same parent. 6. Pipistrelle. Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Schr. Bell — Scotophilus pipistrellus.
- Nat. Hist. Selborne, Letter xxxvi. to Penn.int,
orig. cd. p. 93. 300
