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-grunting, 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. 
