THE DASYURES. 163 
quently caught in baited fish-traps left bare by the tide, or 
hauled up during bad weather.” 
In writing of this species, Krefft observes that “these little 
creatures, with their fierce disposition, are familiar to the 
greater number of colonists. They inhabit our forests; but 
prefer to take up their abode with civilised man when they find 
out that he keeps plenty of meat about his habitation, or rears 
poultry. They are very savage for their size, and five of them 
kept in a cage without sustenance for a day only, had almost 
reduced themselves to the state of the famous tabbies of Kil- 
kenny. ‘The fact is, they devoured each other till only a part 
remained, and the savage look and watchfulness of these two 
animals was amazing to behold. 
“*They are stubborn in the extreme, and appear to care 
about nothing. We have noticed them to come quite uncon- 
cerned into a tent at night and take up a cosy place near the 
chimney, from which a fire-stick only could dislodge them. 
Another case was mentioned not many days ago, when one of 
the Tiger-Cats actually faced a half-caste man, who was terror- 
stricken, and ran away. A real aboriginal native, one of the 
old tribes, would have made short work of such an adversary ; 
_ but these poor people have now almost died out, and the few 
still lingering behind cannot even remember the animals which 
their ancestors hunted.” 
Like its kindred, this Dasyure is very destructive to birds, 
especially poultry, while it also consumes large numbers of eggs. 
Living during the day in hollow logs, log-fences, or holes in 
the ground, these marauders sally forth at night to seek their food 
on the ground. Here they are frequently put up by the dogs 
of the sportsmen in pursuit of Phalangers, and when chased 
they nearly always take refuge in the smaller trees, but rarely 
ascending the gum-trees. ‘The belts of timber on the edges of 
the swamps are among their favourite haunts ; while, as already 
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