72 LLOYD’S NATURAL HISTORY, 
Hypsiprymnus rufescens, Waterhouse, Jardine’s Naturalist’s 
Library, Mamm., vol. xi., p. 188 (1841). 
Aipyprymnus rufescens, Garrod, Proc. Zool. Soc., 1875, p. 59 ; 
Thomas, Cat. Marsup. Brit. Mus., p. 103 (1888). 
Characters.—The largest of the Rat-Kangaroos, easily distin- 
guished from all the other members of the sub-family by its 
ruddy colour, black-backed ears, whitish hip-stripe, and hairy 
nose. Nose hairy for about half way down the septum between 
the nostrils; furlong and coarse. General colour rufescent 
grey ; under-parts dirty white ; an indistinct white stripe across 
the side in front of the hip; back of ears black or dark 
brown ; outside of hind legs grey; rest of legs white; hair 
on back of fore paws black and coarse, partially covering the 
claws ; feet brown or greyish-brown ; central hind claw long 
and strong ; tail thickly haired, without crest, pale grey above, 
white beneath. Length of head and body about 21 inches; 
of tail 15 inches. 
Distribution.—New South Wales ; fossil in the caves of the Wel- 
lington Valley, N.S.W. 
Habits.—This species is extremely common in New South 
Wales, feeding on roots and grasses, and seeking shelter, when 
pursued, in hollow logs or holes in the ground, after running 
with great speed for a short distance, and taking a series of - 
bounds, immense for so small an animal, during its flight. In 
the daytime this Rat-Kangaroo lies securely coiled up in its 
nest, which is formed of dry grasses, and usually placed beneath , 
some fallen log, or under the shelter of a low bush of shrub, . 
Occasionally the creature prefers a “form,” like that of a Hare, . 
among low herbage, but it is never by any chance found rest- 
ing in the open plains, thus differing eee from the Tas- 
manian Rat-Kangaroo. 
& 
In captivity this species is readily tamed, and appears to — 
become really attached to its owner. 
