MAMMALS swync in the same untill the reigne of King Henry the Eight. About which time they were destroied by John then Erie of Oxenford, for that he understode that the inhabitants thereabout sustained by them very great loss and damage.' (Eisex Note Boot and Suffolk Gleaner, Nov. 1885, p. 136.) The large estuaries which form so considerable a part of the shores of Essex, and the numerous sand-banks and creeks, are traps for the capture of a considerable number of marine mammals which from time to time are stranded on their shores or become entangled amongst these banks. The list of these accidental visitors is much above the average of most of the maritime counties of England where such facilities for their capture do not exist. Ten marine mammals, out of a total list of twenty-seven recognized as British species, have been recorded for Essex. These include the porpoise and the bottle-nose dolphin, both of which may be seen frequently off this coast and may therefore count as regular, not accidental, visitors. CHEIROPTERA 1. Long-eared Bat. Plecotus auritus, Linn. One of the commonest bats in Essex, and the one which is most frequently found enter- ing open windows. Its haunts are usually under the roofs of buildings ; sometimes, but not so commonly, in hollow trees. 2. Barbastelle. Barbastel/a barbattellus. Schreber. Bell Barbaitellui daubentmii. This bat is not nearly so rare as it is generally considered to be. Its habits and its haunts in woods and hollow trees prevent its coming so frequently under observation. When seen it is usually flitting up and down under the lee of a hedge or plantation, and its size at this time causes it to be passed over as a pipistrelle. 3. Serotine. Vespertilio serotlnus, Schreber. Bell Scotophilus sentinus. Twice only has this bat been captured in Essex, on one occasion near Chelmsford by Mr. Miller Christy. It must therefore be very rare in Essex, a rather extraordinary circumstance considering the number that have been taken in the immediate vicinity of the metropolis. 4. Great Bat or Noctule. Pipistrellus noctula. Schreber. Bell Scotophllut noctula; White, l^eipertiKo altivolani. This is a common bat throughout Essex, but by its high-flying habits frequently eludes observation. It has its home very frequently in buildings but more commonly in hollow trees, and is frequent in those within the town of Colchester. White, in his account of this bat, allowed it a very short period of activity, but in this district it has a similar period to other bats and is very frequently to be seen as late as the middle of November flying through the streets of Colchester hardly above the houses. It is also commonly to be seen any autumn evening hunting for its prey low down in the valley of the Colne. 5. Pipistrelle. Pipistrellui pipiitrellus, Schreber. Bell Scotophilus pipiitrellut. A common bat everywhere, resting in houses or buildings as well as in hollow trees. 6. Natterer's Bat. Myotis natter er't. Kuhl. Bell VeipertiRo nattereri. One of the commonest bats in the Col- chester district, and found frequently through- out Essex. Cellars, caverns (as those under Colchester Castle) and similar places, are generally chosen as hibernacula. Crevices in the brickwork of the deep wells in Col- chester district would also appear to be fre- quently selected for the same purpose, as in the late autumn these bats are frequently drawn up in buckets with the water. 7. Daubenton's Bat. Leisler. Myotis daubentoni. Bell fespertiRo daubentonli. Is not rare throughout the county in suit- able localities. It may often be found flying, or rather flitting, over water, generally only a short distance, sometimes a few inches, above it. A small pond nicely sheltered appears to be a sufficient hunting ground for a whole evening. It is rarely seen except in the neighbourhood of water. It chooses similar positions for the winter to those selected by Natterer's bat. 255
