38 ORGANIC LIFE ON THE RIVERINE PLAINS 



The habits of all these species are remarkably similar. 

 They all go in small herds or droves of from 40 to 200. 

 The herds of the larger kinds are often locally called " mobs." 

 Odd individuals are only occasionally met with, and are 

 always large males, seemingly only temporarily separated 

 from their herds. Each herd keeps distinct from others, 

 and they never congregate in vast droves, like many 

 species of deer. They all feed on grass, herbage, and 

 leaves, as well as on bark and roots. They cause the 

 death of many trees by their gnawing habits. They all 

 drink but sparingly, and can go long periods without 

 drinking at all ; and all have the same habit of lying in 

 patches of scrub, from whence they make excursions over 

 the surrounding country, but seldom, I think, travelling 

 any great distance from home. It is only under pressure 

 of drought that they migrate considerable distances ; but 

 fright, occasioned by being shot at, or harassed by dogs, 

 will cause them to forsake their habitual haunts. 



Two species of rat-kangaroos are very common in this 

 district — the brush-tailed {Bettongia penicillatii) and the 

 potoroo {Potorous tridactylus). The hind legs excepted, 

 the latter is a very rat-like animal in superficial ap- 

 pearance ; and both species are about a foot in length, 

 with tails eight inches long. There are several local 

 varieties of the potoroo, one being much larger than the 

 common species. 



All the kangaroos and wallabies mentioned above feed 

 at night as well as during the day ; but the rat-kangaroos 

 are more nocturnal in habits than any of the others. All 

 alike are exceedingly timid ; but, like hares, lie until 

 they are almost trodden on, when they rush away in wild 

 hops and leaps, and at a very great rate of speed. The 

 smaller kinds are therefore difficult to shoot, their many 

 angular turns and twists making a steady aim impossible ; 

 and they must be knocked over with snap-shots. The rat- 

 kangaroos are not often used as food, except by the 

 blackfellows ; but this is a result of prejudice, the flesh of 

 these little animals being quite as good as that of the 

 rabbit. Their leaping powers are very much less than 



