138 THE BATS OF EPPING FOREST.
buildings to more recent or more showy erections. Mr. Doubleday
once found more than a hundred in an old garret.
In a state of nature it prefers moths to all other insects, and,
like entomologists of larger growth, is particularly addicted to mothing
at the sallows ; these are in full blossom in March, and the golden
catkins are as attractive to the Long-eared Bats as to the various
species of moths, for whose especial benefit they seem to have been
provided at that flowerless season of the year. The moths feed on
the catkins ; the bats feast on the moths.
The bats pick off the moths one by one as they sit com-
placently imbibing the nectar. But it is not only the catkin-feeding
moths that become the prey of the Long-eared Bat, the very smallest
moths—those we call Microlepidoptera—are equally to his taste;
and it seems strange how he can possibly make a meal of these
minims of creation. Yet, so it is; these Micro's, wearied of their
nocturnal gambols, settle on the leaves at the approach of day, and
compose themselves to rest, vainly trusting to what appears the
repose of universal nature. Alas ! it is a vain delusion. The bat
has been up and out all night, and has not yet retired for the day.
He flutters round the flowery bush, and picks off the living gems
one by one, until the coming sun warns him to withdraw.
7. Barbastellus Daubentonii. The Barbastelle Bat.
The Barbastelle does not appear to be very rare, but certainly is
very difficult to find. It never turns out until nearly dark, and then
flies very low, never, or very rarely, showing itself between the
spectator and the sky. Add to these peculiarities in the time and
manner of flying, that it is almost entirely black, and we can
scarcely wonder that it has been so seldom noticed. In the day-
time it takes a siesta in one or other of the numerous stacks of
wood or faggots which are to be seen in the Forest, more particularly
by the side of the Forest roads.
The Barbastelle, when once in the hand, is easily distinguished
by the peculiarity of the ears, which rise from the forehead side by
side, actually touching one another, and seem to be united at the
base.