COLLARED BAT. (After Temminck.)
THE NEW ZEALAND SHORT-TAILED BAT.[233]
We have already noticed the occurrence in New Zealand of a species of Bat nearly allied to the common Bats of Europe, although differing from them in certain characters which have led to the formation of a distinct genus for it. The present species, the second known Bat of New Zealand, is a far more remarkable animal; in fact, its characters are so singular that it forms not only a distinct genus, but a peculiar sub-division of the family to which it belongs.
HEAD OF NEW ZEALAND
SHORT-TAILED BAT.
(From the Proceedings of
the Zoological Society.)
The Short-tailed Bat of New Zealand, which appears to be not of very common occurrence there, is a small Bat, not exceeding two inches and a half in length of head and body; the body is short and broad; the muzzle is greatly produced beyond the opening of the mouth, and terminates in a sort of projecting snout, which carries the nostrils towards the sides of its tip; the ears are quite separate, simple, ovate, and slightly pointed at the tips, and furnished with a long, narrow, and pointed tragus; the wings are rather short and broad, and the middle finger consists of four joints, having three true phalanges; the wing-membranes extend down to the end of the shank; a narrow band of the membrane running from the wrist down the arm, and bordering the side of the body and the leg, the antebrachial or shoulder membrane and the basal part of the interfemoral membrane are thick and leathery, and marked with numerous deep wrinkles on the upper surface. The tail is short, and only a very small portion of it is enclosed in the interfemoral membrane. The dentition is exceedingly peculiar. There are two upper incisors, which are nearly of the same shape as the canines; the lower jaw also has two incisors, but these are small, three-lobed at the tip, and placed in front of the canines, which are of large size, and nearly in contact at the base. There are two premolars and three true molars on each side in both jaws.
The fur is short, crisp, and thick, and extends forward on the head towards the nose, where it is bounded in front by a frill of stiff, upright hairs. On the upper parts of the body the fur is dusky at the base and tipped with a shining greyish-brown, with a slight olive tinge. On the lower surface the hairs are brown at the base, with greyish-brown tips. The membranes are dark-brown, with the wrinkled, leathery portion paler, and of a yellowish tinge. Of the habits of this species nothing has been recorded.
TEETH OF NEW ZEALAND
SHORT-TAILED BAT.
(From the Proc.
Zool. Soc.)
