THE KANGAROO RAT. 



479 



It is an active little creature, and not easily caught even by fair speed, and has a habit 

 of leaping aside when it is hard pressed and jumping into some crevice where it effectually 

 conceals itself. It is extremely common over the whole of New South Wales. The 

 color of the fur is a gray-brown above, and the under parts of the body are of a grayish- 

 white. 



The KANGAROO RAT, called by the natives the POTOROO, is a native of New South 

 Wales, where it is found in very great numbers. 



It is but a diminutive animal, the head and body being only fifteen inches long, and 

 the tail between ten and eleven inches. The color of the fur is brownish-black, pencilled 

 along the back with a gray-white. The under parts of the body are white, and the fore- 

 feet are brown. The tail is equal to the body in length, and is covered with scales, through 

 the intervals of which sundry short, stiff, and black hairs protrude. 



This little animal frequents the less open districts, and is very quick and lively in its 

 movements, whether it be indulging in its native gamesomeness or engaged in the search 

 for food. Roots of various kinds are the favorite diet of the Kangaroo Rat, and in order 



KANGAROO RAT. Hypsiprymnus minor. 



to obtain these dainties the animal scratches them from the ground with the powerful 

 claws of the fore-feet. It is specially fond of potatoes, and often commits considerable 

 havoc in a kitchen-garden by exhuming and carrying away the seed-potatoes. In retalia- 

 tion for these injuries the owner of the garden sets traps about his potato-grounds, and by 

 means of baiting them with the coveted roots entices numbers of Potoroos into the 

 treacherous snare. 



The movements of the Kangaroo Rats do not in the least resemble those of the 

 Kangaroos themselves, for although they can sit erect upon their hind-legs, they cannot 

 make those vigorous leaps which are so characteristic of the Kangaroos, nor can they 

 manipulate their food with their fore-paws and carry it to their mouth by means of those 

 limbs. Their gait, especially when chased, is a curious kind of gallop, very unequal, but 

 tolerably swift. They are very timid and harmless animals, and when captured or 

 attacked do not kick or make any violent resistance, contenting themselves with ex- 

 pressing their indignation by an angry hiss. 



They are not so exclusively nocturnal as many of the preceding animals, and seem to 

 be equally lively by day as by night. When the animal is sitting upon its hinder portions 

 the tail receives part of the weight of the body, but is not used in the same manner as 



