RA T-KANGAROOS. 



25' 



The plain rat-kangaroo (Caloprymnus campestris) of South Australia, differs from 

 the foregoing by the naked portion of the muzzle extending somewhat less back- 

 wardly on the nose, and the absence of any crest or tuft of hair on the tail ; and 

 on these and other grounds it is made the type of a distinct genus. 

 Rufous Rat- The largest member of the group is the rufous rat-kangaroo 



Kangaroo. (^Epyprymnus rufescens), of New South Wales, distinguished from 

 all the others by the partially hairy muzzle, and the unusually broad and short 

 head ; the tail being evenly furred. The permanent premolar tooth in each jaw 

 has a medium number (seven to eight) of vertical ridges; and the skull is 

 characterised by the absence of any unossified spaces on the palate, and the 



Habits. 



BRUSH-TAILED RAT-KANGAROO (| nat. size). 



unswollen auditory bulla. The head and body of this species may measure as 

 much as 20 inches, and the tail about 4 inches less. The general colour of the long 

 and soft fur is bright rusty red on the upper-parts, more or less pencilled with 

 white ; while the under-parts are dirty white, and the ears black. 



Although the different groups of rat-kangaroos vary to a certain 

 extent in habits, the whole of them agree in being nocturnal, and in 

 feeding not only on leaves, grass, etc., but likewise on roots and bulbs, which are 

 grubbed up with the fore-paws. They generally frequent scrub-jungle, and get up 

 before the sportsman after the manner of rabbits. Usually but a single young is 

 produced at a birth ; and, as appears to be the case with all Marsupials, there is 

 not more than one birth during the year. In accordance with the reduced size of 

 their hind-feet, the leaping powers of the common rat-kangaroo are less developed 

 than those of the other genera. It is stated, indeed, that although these species 

 habitually stand on their hind-limbs alone, when running they employ both pairs 



