79° LLOYD’S NATURAL HISTORY. 
General coloration as in 2. /esueuri, 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 16 inches; of tail about 11 inches. 
Distribution—New South Wales. 
IV. BRUSH-TAILED RAT-KANGAROO. BETTONGIA PENICILLATA. 
Bettongia penicillata, Gray, Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. i., p. 584 
(1837); Thomas, Cat. Marsup. Brit. Mus., p. rr0 (1888). 
LTypsiprymnus penicillatus, Waterhouse, in Jardine’s Naturalist’s 
Library, Mamm., vol. xi., p. 185 (1841). 
Lypsiprymnus ogilbyt, Waterhouse, loc. cit. 
Bettongia ogilbyt, Gray, in Grey’s usa Appendix, vol. ii., 
p. 403 (1841). 
Bettongia gouldi, Gray, List Mamm. Brit. Mus., p. 94 (1843). 
(Plate IX.) 
Characters.—F ur 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 theextremenorth. 
Habits.—-T hese Rat-Kangaroos aresocialand 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- 
