BY GERARD KREFFT. 15 



in its habits, only found in pairs scattered over the wide plains 

 formerly the sole domain of the Kangaroo and Emeu. It digs 

 into the ground, forming a burrow like a rabbit, but with only 

 one entrance, and differs herein from Bettongia Graii, the burrows 

 of which are provided with several outlets, and may easily be dis- 

 tinguished from those of the Peragalea. 



As this " Rabbit Rat " often prefers entering the ground on 

 a hill side, and as hills, even of very slight elevation, are often 

 scarce on these extensive plains, it will sometimes happen, that 

 the Peragalea takes advantage of the mound raised upon a 

 departed black-fellows grave, providing for itself a habitation 

 beneath the natives weary bones. Upon this ground an inves- 

 tigator asserted, some years ago, that this animal dug out the 

 dead bodies of the natives and fed upon them. I think that 

 every naturalist that has the slightest knowledge of the habits of 

 this animal, will agree with me, that it is no resurrectionist, and 

 if it takes advantage of the " mound," it is only for convenience 

 sake, and not for criminal purposes. 



It is nocturnal in its habits, feeds upon grass, roots, insects, 

 &c., and always retires before dawn. Its flesh is very good 

 eating, though the fur has a peculiar sweetish smell which is 

 retained for years after the skin has been cured. 



The natives seldom unearth the animal ; the holes being very 

 deep, and often found to be uninhabited. I procured a few 

 specimens only, among which, was an adult female, with a very 

 deep pouch, 8 teats, and two large young. 



All the spots which, in the adult, are covered with black hair, 

 were of a purple colour in the nude young specimens, which 

 appeared to be about four months old ; so that, according to my 

 diary, their breeding season will be about the beginning of May, 

 The pouch runs upwards. 



11. PERAMELES FASCIATA. 

 Banded Perameles. 

 Thill, (native name.) 

 Moncat (do. do.) 



One of the many animals whose range extends from the east 

 to the west coast of the Continent, it is common on all parts of 



