Two western pipistrelles were shot at Vantage, Grant County, on July 23, 1937. They flew in slow circles about 50 feet from the ground. No breeding records are known from the state.
Eptesicus fuscus bernardinus [Rhoads]
Big brown-bat
Eptesicus fuscus bernardinus [Rhoads], Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 1901:619, February 6, 1902.
Eptesicus fuscus pallidus [Engels], Amer. Midland Nat., 17:656, May, 1936 (part specimens from Washington).
Type.—Obtained near San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, California, by R. B. Herron on May 26, 1893; type in Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Measurements.—Three males and 5 females from Washington average: total length 117; length of tail 48; hind foot 11.5; ear 18.3; height of tragus 9.
Distribution.—Forested areas of the entire state of Washington. Marginal localities are San Juan Island (W.W.D.) in the northwest, Carson ([Taylor] and [Shaw], 1929: 9), in the southwest, Newport (W.W.D.) in the northeast, and Grand Ronde River ([Taylor] and [Shaw], 1929: 9) in the southeast.
Remarks.—Specimens from both eastern and western Washington vary greatly in color, and series of specimens from eastern Washington average little, if any, paler than series from western Washington. Washington specimens most closely resemble specimens from California of the race bernardinus and average darker than pallidus.
Description. The big brown-bat may be distinguished from other bats by its large size (about 4-1/2 inches), rich, brown color, and small ears (reaching only to nostril when laid forward). It possesses 32 teeth, the dental formula being: i. 2-2/3-3, c. 1-1/1-1, p. 1-1/2-2, m. 3-3/3-3 = 32.