﻿70 Allen's naturalist's library. 



General coloration as in B. lestieuri^ but the prevailing tone 

 more yellowish or fawn ; hind feet white. Terminal two-thirds 

 of tail gradually darkening, and the hair increasing in length, 

 till a distinct black crest is formed on the terminal third; 

 inferior surface of tail short-haired, white. Length of head 

 and body about i6 inches ; of tail about ii inches. 



Distribution. — New South Wales. 



IV. BRUSH-TAILED RAT-KANGAROO. BETTONGIA PENICILLATA. 



Bettongia penictllaia, Gray, Mag. Nat. Hist, vol. i., p. 584 

 (1837); Thomas, Cat. Marsup. Brit. Mus., p. no (1888). 



Hypsiprymnus penicillatus, Waterhouse, in Jardine's Naturalist's 

 Library, Mamm., vol. xi., p. 185 (1841). 



Hypsiprymnus ogilbyi, Waterhouse, loc. cit. 



Bettongia ogilbyi, Gray, in Grey's Australia, Appendix, vol. ii., 

 p. 403 (1841). 



Bettongia gouldi, Gray, List Mamm. Brit. Mus., p. 94 (1843). 



{Plate IX.) 



Characters. — Fur and general coloration not markedly different 

 from those of the other species. Feet pale brown ; bristly 

 hairs of hind feet not concealing the claws ; tail long, with a 

 prominent black crest along the terminal third or two-thirds of 

 the upper surface, beneath pale brown. Length of head and 

 body about 14 inches ; of tail 12 inches. 



Distribution. — The whole of Australia, except the extreme north. 



Habits.— These Rat-Kangaroos are social and nocturnal in their 

 habits, and feed chiefly upon roots and grasses. The chief use 

 of the prehensile tail seems to be for carrying bunches of grass 

 for the construction of the nest. The latter is built in a hollow 

 in the ground specially excavated by the animal, and has its 

 aperture placed on the level of the herbage by which it is sur- 



