﻿54 Allen's naturalist's library. 



" The name of Hare-Kangaroo has been given to this species 

 as much from its similarity of form and size to the common 

 Hare as from its similarity of habits. I usually found it solitary, 

 and sitting alone on a well-formed seat under the stalks of a 

 tuft of grass on the open plains. For a short distance its fleet- 

 ness is beyond that of all others of its group that I have had 

 an opportunity of coursing. Its powers of leaping are also 

 extraordinary. While out on the plains of South Australia, I 

 started a Hare-Kangaroo before two fleet dogs. After running 

 to the distance of a quarter of a mile it suddenly doubled and 

 came back to me, the dogs following close to its heels. I stood 

 perfectly still, and the animal had arrived within twenty feet 

 before it observed me, when, to my astonishment, instead of 

 branching off to the right or to the left, it bounded clear over 

 my head, and, on descending to the ground, I was able to 

 make a successful shot, by which it was procured." 



According to Krefft, this species is common in the level 

 country between the Murray and Darling rivers ; and is strictly 

 nocturnal and solitary in its habits. During the daytime it is 

 generally found asleep under some salt-bush or other sheltered 

 situation. When hunted, it takes leaps of more than eight feet 

 in height. 



III. RUFOUS HARE-WALLABY. LAGORCHESTES HIRSUTUS. 



Lagorchestes hirsutus, Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1844, p. 32 ; 



Thomas, Cat. Marsup. Brit. Mus., p. 84 (1888). 

 Macropus {Lagorchestes) hirsuUis^ Waterhouse, Nat. Hist. 



Mamm., vol. i., p. 93 (1846). 

 Halmaturus hirsutus^ Wagner, in Schrebcr's Saugeth. Suppl , 



vol. v., p. 307 (1855). 

 Characters. — Form nearly as in the last ; nose almost entirely 

 hairy ; muzzle narrow and light ; fur long and coarse ; under- 

 fur of back dark slaty, with pale or rufQscent tips. General 



