Large Bat Research Articles

Additional Notes on the Vertebrate Fauna of the Rock-fissure at Ightham (Kent)

T he results obtained by Mr. Lewis Abbott's exploration of the Ightham rock-fissure were published by the Geological Society in 1894, but the investigation was continued by that gentleman with his usual energy, and many additional specimens were obtained, for the most part representing species already recorded. Before the end of 1896, however, five forms, new to the deposit, had been recognized, and were mentioned in Sir A. Geikie's Annual Report of the Geological Survey for that year (published 1897, p. 88). These forms were a large bat (probably Vespertilio Bechsteini ), the shovellerduck, and some small passerine birds, closely allied to, if not identical with, the red-backed shrike, the chaffinch, and the hedge-sparrow. Subsequently remains of polecat, otter(?), and swallow were found. Since Mr. Lewis Abbott's departure from Sevenoaks, the work of collecting from the Ightham fissure has been successfully carried on by Mr. Frank Corner and Mr. A. S. Kennard. The many specimens obtained have passed through my hands, and certain forms, new to this fissure, have been recognized, while among the numerous examples of species already recorded there were some which previously had been but sparsely represented. In the following pages, mention will be made of all the forms new to the fissure that have been found since 1894, and notes will be given on certain other species, concerning which additional and important information has been obtained. Nearly all the remains now to be recorded are those of species still living in the neighbourhood, and they give a modern