June, j Weixoorfick AM) Francis, Wild Life iu Tasmania. 17 



The " Brush " breeds the lirst yvwv of its cxisUiK c, lias oiu- 

 young per aniuuu, and when tliat is grown too big for the 

 pouch it will follow the mother on her nightly rambles. On 

 the approach of danger the mother takes with its young to a 

 tree, and it is a very pretty siglit to see the older animal 

 running up the tree by big jumps with the young holding on 

 to its back. 



The Possum has a " laugh " not milike that of a human being, 

 which on still nights may be heard plainly over great distances. 

 This is uttered by both sexes, and is more frequently heard 

 during moonlight nights, and perhaps is the outcome of satis- 

 faction and contentment. 



This Possum lias a penetrating, somewhat acrid odour, though 

 not quite so unpleasant as the Ring-tail. Its fiesh is considered 

 by bushmen as superior to that of any other animal. The fur 

 is easily one of the most valuable in Australia, and by the trade 

 is classed in three grades — viz., Black Possum, of a deep 

 umber brown, which at auction fetches up to los. each ; Grey 

 Possum, worth from 2s. 6d. to 5s. ; and " off colour " (any 

 colour between grey and black), with a value of 2s. 6d. or less. 

 A true jet-black opossum has never yet been obtained at 

 Middlesex, and perhaps ne\-er in Tasmania, and furs of this 

 description, sold as rugs, &c., are undoubtedly made up of dyed 

 skins of second and third quality. The Brush Possum can 

 lie kept in captivity, and its skin is of such value that its 

 breeding would seem to be a very profitanle proposition. 



Tiger Cat, D.asyi'rus macui.atus, Kerr. 



This is one of the pluckiest animals of the bush, and will fight 

 for its life to a finish. When cornered the si/(> of its antagonist 

 will never deter it from defending itself with teeth and claws, 

 and cases are known of it, on the rare occasions when it is lu^ld 

 by a snare, boldly attacking the ap])roaching trapper. On 

 one occasion one of us was roused from his slumbers at early 

 dawn by an unearthly tumult, in which oiu- of the dogs was 

 evidently engaged with some intruder. On stepping outside 

 the disturbance; had transferred itself to the thick pine scrub, 

 whence suddenly the dog, looking almost twice its usual bulk, 

 emerged. Circling rapidly round its master, it soon drew near 

 enough to be grabbed by the neck, when a Tiger Cat was found 

 hanging by teeth and claws to the dog's chest and abdomen. 



'Ihe Tiger Cat is essentially a dweller of the dark forests and 

 mountain gullies, and, though sometimes met with in daytime, 

 prefers the night for its raids on smaller animal life. It is 

 always found alone, and only on rare occasions will male' and 

 female be caught by one and the same trap. It loves to roam, 

 and will extend its hunting exjieditions over consider;d')le 



