﻿KANGAROOS AND WALLABIES. 31 



black or grey crest below the tip. Length of head and body 

 about 37 inches ; that of tail 32 inches. 



Distribution. — Mountain-ranges of New South Wales and 

 Queensland. 



Habits. — Especially characterised by its slender build and 

 very long tail, this appears to be a common species in the 

 regions it frequents. The first known specimen was brought 

 home by Sir E. Parry, and was obtained near Port Stephens. 

 It was captured by some natives, having been thrown out of its 

 mother's pouch when the latter was hunted. At that time it 

 was somewhat less than a rabbit in size, and until its embarka- 

 tion for England was allowed to run at liberty. It lived in the 

 kitchen of its owner, and ran about the house and grounds like 

 a dog, going out every night after dark into the bush to feed, 

 and returning to its friend the cook about two o'clock in the 

 morning. Besides the food which it obtained during these noc- 

 turnal excursions, the creature would eat meat, bread, and 

 vegetables, and, indeed, almost everything that was offered to it. 

 It expressed its anger, when very closely approached by other 

 persons than the cook, by a sort of half-granting, half-hissing, 

 very discordant sound, which appeared to come from the 

 throat, without altering the expression of its countenance. In 

 the daytime it would occasionally, but not often, venture out to 

 a considerable distance from home, in which case it would 

 sometimes be chased home by strange dogs. From these, 

 however, it had no difficulty in escaping, through its extreme 

 swiftness ; and it was curious to see it bounding up a hill and 

 over the garden fence, until it placed itself under the protec- 

 tion of the dogs of the house, and more especially two New- 

 foundlands, which never failed to sally forth and repel its 

 assailants. Such is in substance the account of his pet given 

 by Sir Edward Parry. 



