Myotis californicus, in western Washington, often occurs in company with Myotis yumanensis, lucifugus, and volans. In flight it cannot be distinguished from M. yumanensis or M. lucifugus. Most of our specimens were collected over water, for these bats usually fly rather late and can be shot most easily where their reflection on the water assists the hunter in aiming. They are usually not common, one or two being taken at a single locality. This species, like Myotis yumanensis, seems to drink salt water. On May 9, 1936, a living specimen was caught under a loose piece of bark on a dead tree.
Myotis californicus caurinus [Miller]
Vespertilio nitidus H. [Allen], Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, p. 247, 1862 (part of the specimens were from Fort Steilacoom, Pierce Co., Washington).
Myotis californicus caurinus [Miller], N. Amer. Fauna, 13:72, October 16, 1897.
Type.—Obtained at Masset, Graham Island, Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia, by J. H. Keen in 1895; type in United States National Museum.
Racial character.—Color reddish-brown.
Fig. 39. Distribution of the small-footed myotis, Myotis subulatus melanorhinus, in Washington.