﻿t'j6 Allen's naturalist's Library. 



Dwelling like its allies in trees, it makes its nest in the hollows 

 of their trunks and branches, and feeds chiefly upon insects. 

 In some districts it is so bold as to enter the houses of the 

 colonists, by whom (whether justly or unjustly, we know not) 

 it is accused of killing their poultry. From the large number 

 of its teats, this species is doubtless a very prolific animal, 

 although it does not appear to be ascertained whether it breeds 

 more than once during the year. 



A widely distributed species, it is found, according to Krefft, 

 occasionally even in the neighbourhood of Sydney, and extends 

 its range right across the Continent to the west coast; it is, 

 however, very rare in the neighbourhood of the Murray river. 

 In its general habits it is probably very similar to the next 

 species, which is generally found in the hollow stems of trees. 

 Of some specimens kept in confinement, Krefft writes that 

 their movements were Cat-like, but very graceful ; and that the 

 animal resembled all the other members of the genus in being 

 strictly nocturnal. On one specimen of J^. caliira, with ten 

 teats, eight young ones were observed tightly clinging thereto, 

 being concealed by the long hair on the under surface of their 

 parent's body. 



Xin. LESSER BRUSH-TAILED POUCHED MOUSE. PHASCOLOUALE 



CALURA. 



Fhascologale cahira^ Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1S-14, p. 104; 

 Thomas, Cat. Marsup. Brit. Mus., p. 296 (1888). 



Cliaracters.— Size medium; form slender; furlong, soft and 

 fine. General colour grey, with a faint rufous tinge ; under- 

 parts white Ears very large, almost naked, with well-marked 

 tufts of red hair at the base. Feet white ; soles of hind feet 

 with five pads, that of the hallux being elongated, but un- 

 divided ; claws small and weak. Tail long, the basal half 



