Page:The mammals of Australia Gould vol 3.djvu/125

 Gould.

Spectacled Vampyre.

Pteropus conspicillatus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., 1849, p. 109.

native habitat of this fine species of Vampyre is Fitzroy Island, lying off the eastern coast of Australia, where it was discovered by Mr. John MacGillivray during the recent surveying voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, under the command of the late Capt. Owen Stanley. It is about the same size as the P. poliocephalus, but has a somewhat larger head and much larger and more powerful teeth; it may moreover be distinguished from that species by the nuchal band being of a deep sandy huff, instead of deep rust-red, and not continuous round the neck; by the crown of the head and the back being almost jet-black; and by the eyes being conspicuously encircled with deep buff, whence the specific name, and which at once distinguishes it from every other known species.

I am indebted to Mr. MacGillivray for the following brief notes, which comprise all that is at present known respecting it:—

"On the wooded slope of a hill on Fitzroy Island, I one day fell in with this Bat in prodigious numbers, looking while flying along the bright sunshine, so unusual for a nocturnal animal, like a large flock of rooks; on close approach, a strong musky odour became apparent, and a loud incessant chattering was heard; many of the branches were bending under their load of bats, some in a state of inactivity suspended by their hind claws, others scrambling along among the boughs and taking to wing when disturbed. In a very short time I procured as many specimens as I wished, three and four at a shot, for they hung in clusters, but unless killed outright they remained suspended for some time; when wounded they are handled with difficulty, as they bite severely, and on such occasions their cry reminds one of the squalling of a child."

Crown of the head black, slightly grizzled with buff; round each eye a large oval patch of deep brownish buff, which advances on the sides of the face and shows very conspicuously; at the nape a broad crescent-shaped band of deep sandy buff, which extends down the sides of the neck and nearly meets on the breast; centre of the back glossy black, slightly grizzled with grey; cheeks, chin, all the under surface and rump black, slightly grizzled with buff; ears and wing-membranes naked, and of a deep purplish black; claws black.

The Plate represents a male of the natural size.