THE ROCK KANGAROO. 



477 



same ground, its sharp and powerful claws make a very visible track over the stones, and 

 afford an infallible guide to the acute sense of the black hunter, who is enabled to follow 

 up the trail and to ascertain the precise crevice in which the animal has taken up its 

 abode. 



Generally nocturnal in its habits, the Rock Kangaroo is not seen so often as might be 

 expected, considering the frequency of its occurrence. Now and then, however, it ventures 

 from its dark home and braves the light of day, skipping daintily over the rocky promin- 

 ences, or lying in the full blaze of the sunlight, and enjoying the genial warmth of the noon- 

 tide beams. The native and colonial hunters watch eagerly for a basking Kangaroo, 

 for when thus engaged, it is so fully taken up with appreciation of the warm sunbeams, that 

 it can be approached and shot without difficulty. As its flesh is thought to be remark- 

 ably excellent, the animal is eagerly sought after by the hunters. It is rather gregarious in 

 its habits, being generally found in little parties of two or three in number. 



ROCK KANGAROO. Petrogale peaiclltata. 



The color of this animal is rather varied, but is generally of a purplish or vinous 

 gray, which warms into a rich rusty red upon the hind-quarters and the base of the tail. 

 The chest is purplish-gray, pencilled with white, the chin is white, and a very conspicuous 

 white band runs along the throat to the chest. The fur is not in very great repute, as, 

 although long, it is rough and harsh to the touch. The total length of an adult male is 

 about four feet, the tail being about twenty-three inches in length. The tail is furnished 

 with a moderately sized tuft of dark hairs, each hair, being about three inches in length, 

 a peculiarity which has earned for the animal the name of Brush-tailed Kangaroo. The 

 body is strong and robust in its form, and the claws of the hinder feet are powerful in 

 their make, as might be expected in an animal of such habits. The feet are so densely 

 covered with fur that the claws are nearly hidden in the thick hairy coat. It is a tolerably 

 hardy animal, and thrives well in England. 



The habitation of the Rock Kangaroo is in the south-eastern portions of Australia, and 

 on account of its peculiar habits it is a very local animal, being restricted to those districts 

 which are furnished with rocks or mountain ranges. 



