24 



THE NATURALIST IN AUSTRALIA. 



As a matter of fact, the position exhibited at such times is almost identical with that 

 assumed by a trained acrobat performing on the high trapeze, or that of the Langur 

 monkeys, as they have been observed by the writer, leaping across the intervening 

 spaces between the forest tree tops on the outskirts of the Botanic Gardens, at 

 Singapore. The head and shoulders, as represented in the photographic illustration 

 reproduced on this page, are always maintained at the highest level, with the fore 

 limbs outstretched and ready to grasp the first branch or other object reached. 



That this is the true position maintained by the Phalangers during their flying 

 leaps was very practically demonstrated by one of the examples of the Sugar 

 Squirrel, Petaurus bremceps, obtained 

 from Roebuck Bay, Western Australia, 

 and presented to the author by Mr. 

 G. S. Streeter. This little animal 



W. SariUe-Kent, Photo. 



ISHORT-HFADED FLYING PHALANGER. 



Petntinis brericeps. SHOWING POSITION MAIN- 

 TAINED DVRING ITS CHARACTERISTIC FLYING- 

 LEAP. ONE-THIRD NATVHAL SIZE. 



accompanied him for some time on his travels, usually sleeping in its cage throughout 

 the day, waking up to its characteristic activity as soon as the sun had set, and 

 sharing the full liberty of whatever apartment was allotted to its owner. At one 

 resting stage, a room some thirty feet long and over fifteen feet high was placed at 

 the writer's disposal. The flying squirrel speedily signalised its appreciation of the 

 abundant space at command, by climbing up the curtains and cornices and thence 

 gaining access to the projecting frieze close to the ceiling. Arrived at this coign of 

 vantage, the little fellow delighted in launching himself through the air, with limbs 

 and patagium outspread, to objects at the most remote end of the room, the author's 



