74 LLOYD’S NATURAL HISTORY. 
Pleopus nudicaudatus, Owen, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 4, vol. 
mae, 542 (1877), 
Characters.—Fur close, crisp, and velvety; the naked and 
rounded ears of a blackish flesh-colour, with some hair at the 
base of the back. General colour finely grizzled rusty orange- 
grey, the orange tinge being most marked on the back. Fore 
feet with the toes naked and scaly, and the sole furnished with 
five large transversely ridged pads ; in the hind feet the upper 
surface of fourth toe alone hairy ; and the five pads on the sole 
transversely striated. Tail black above ; paler beneath. Length 
of head and body about ro inches ; of tail 6$ inches. 
Distribution—North Queensland, in the Herbert river dis- 
trict. 
Habits.— Having very much the general appearance of a large 
Rat, both as regards size and form, the Musk-Kangaroo appears 
to be partly terrestrial and partly arboreal in its habits, while 
its food includes insects, roots, and fruits. According to its 
original describer, it frequents the densest and dampest portions 
of the scrubs fringing the rivers and clothing the coast-range. 
Although in such situations this interesting little creature is far 
from rare, yet its shy and retiring disposition, coupled with the 
density of the forest which it frequents, render it difficult to 
obtain. Mainly diurnal in its habits, and, when undisturbed, 
by no means ungraceful in its movements, the Musk-Kangaroo 
procures its food on the ground by turning over leaves, twigs, 
and stones for the sake of the insects and worms that lie con- 
cealed beneath, while roots are dug up with its claws. At 
times it may be seen sitting up on its haunches and munching 
palm-berries, which are held in the fore paws, after the manner 
of a Squirrel. Except in the case of parents and their young, it _ 
is rare that more than two individuals are seen in company. | 
The breeding season takes place during the period of the rains, , 
