RAT-KANGAROOS. 251 
The plain rat-kangaroo (Calopryminus 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. (Hpyprymnus 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 

























BRUSH-TAILED RAT-KANGAROO (2 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. 
wei 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, ete., 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 
