16 VERTEBRATA OF THE LOWER MURRAY, 



the Murray River, and is also found in Victoria, in South Australia, 

 parts of Western Australia, and in the immediate neighbourhood 

 of Sydney. 



Though provided with strong claws it seldom burrows, except 

 in search of its food, which consists of insects, bulbous roots, 

 various herbs, &c. Nocturnal and social in its habits, the striped 

 (so called) " Bandicoot " seeks shelter, during the day time, in 

 hollow logs, or under stones, although sometimes it constructs a 

 sort of nest like the Cheer opus. 



This animal bears captivity well, and becomes very expert in 

 catching mice. I had several about the camp ; and they proved 

 as useful as cats. 



I was in the habit of feeding the specimens kept in a large 

 tin case with various kinds of Rodents, which they killed with 

 astonishing quickness. 



The Perameles would tumble the mice about with its fore 

 paws, break their hind legs, and eat generally the head only. 

 I have seen a single individual kill as many as twenty mice in a 

 very short time, breaking their bones successively, after which 

 it would begin to satisfy its hunger. 



During the months of May, June, July, and August, female 

 specimens provided with 8 teats, and containing from 2 to 4 

 young were captured by the natives. Those obtained in August, 

 had grown to the size of a young rat ; fur, cream coloured, with- 

 out the markings upon the haunches, which appear at a more 

 nature age. 



The flesh is palatable. The pouch runs upwards. 



12. PERAMELES OBESULA. 

 Short-nosed Perameles. 

 Bandicoot of the settlers. 

 Pirrikin, Murray natives. 



This animal is the most common of the Peramelidce, inhabiting 

 the whole of the Southern part of the Continent and Tasmania. 

 How far its range extends to the north, I have been unable to 

 ascertain, though I know that it is frequently met with on the 

 Clarence River. 



The flesh is delicious, especially when done in the native style, 



