History of Great Yarmouth.' Various records have been made of locally occurring species in the volumes of the 'Transactions' of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society. In March, 1896, the Yarmouth Section of that Society published a list of the species compiled by the present writer.
The following abbreviations will indicate the status of the several species and explain the references:—C. common; F. frequent; F.C. fairly common; R.R. rather rare; R. rare; A. accidental; E. extinct; [], doubtful; Trans. Norf. and Nor. Nat. Soc, 'Transactions' published by the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society.
Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus). R.—Have seen and identified examples only on two occasions. One was picked up in the town dead, having in its flight struck the gable of a house and killed itself.
Noctule or Great Bat (Vesperugo noctula). F.C.—Several may be seen at one time any summer's evening in the vicinity of water, the Bure being a favourite haunt. Occasionally are very noisy. Will answer to a good mimicry of their shrill notes, and fly close to the performer. Having on one occasion a slightly wounded specimen shrieking in my pocket, its companions came so near that I could feel the "whisk" of their "wings." Its prey is the Cockchafer (Melolontha vulgaris), and the Watchman Beetle (Geotrupes stercorarius) by preference, whose hard wing-cases it may be heard scrunching.
Pipistrelle (V. pipistrellus). C—Abounds in old houses, outhouses, and churches. I have seen it flitting about in church during evening service. On several occasions have seen examples flying about in the centre of the town at noonday. Discovered two skulls in the "pellet" of an Owl near Yarmouth in August, 1896.
Parti-coloured Bat (V. discolor). A.—Reference is made to an example taken from the rigging of a vessel lying in Yarmouth Roads in the year 1834 (vide Trans. Norf. and Nor. Nat. Soc. 1873–74, p. 80).
Hedgehog (Erinaceus europæus). C—Local prejudice is still strong against this useful vermin destroyer. I have a suspicion it is not so common as formerly. A friend in whose possession a female produced young was gratified in seeing her
