Artist/Maker John Woodhouse Audubon (1812 - 1862)

Hoary Bat

ca. 1841

Watercolor, pastel, and graphite with scratching out on sketchbook paper

Overall: 7 5/8 x 13 1/8 in. ( 19.4 x 33.3 cm )

Z.3306

DescriptionA view of the back of a bat that Audubon called Vespertilio priunosus[?] or the hoary bat. The hoary bat is a large bat, dark and furry, with a widespread range in the western hemisphere, from Hawaii east to Iceland and south to Bermuda. Audubon's nomenclature does not match the modern terminology for this species. Formerly S-24.

InscribedInscribed at lower right of center in brown ink: "Vespertilio / priunosus / Hoary Bat"; at lower right: "an unnatural / figure"

ClassificationsDRAWINGS