772 MR. OLDFIELD THOMAS OX [Nov. 13, 



the branches of trees. Occasionally found around farms, where 

 they come, according to the natives, after mice. 

 " Native name, ' Coming-coming.' " — G. 0. iS. 



40. Sminthopsis murina Wateiii. 



" Not uncommon around Albany, seeming to be more plentiful 

 in the coastal districts than further inland. Occasionally to be 

 found in the hollow stumps of dead grass-trees (Jianthorrhcea)." — 

 G. C. S. 



41. Myrmecobius fasciatus Waterli. 



10 from Dwaladine, Woyaline, and Dale River. 



" Diurnal. Fairly numerous throughout the South-west, espe- 

 cially where the prevailing timbers are the white gvan. {Eucalyptus 

 7'edunca) and the jam {Acacia acuminata), getting less plentiful 

 outside that area. It extends very spaiingly as far inland as 

 Laverton, When alarmed it will make for the nearest hollow 

 log, but is unable to climb trees. It does not seem to use its 

 teeth much, either in mastication or self-defence. The stomach 

 of one example proved, on examination, to be full of white ants, 

 most of which had evidently been swallowed whole. 



" Native name, ' Numbat.' " — G. C. S. 



42. Tachyglossus aculeatus ineptus Thos. 



" Rare in the tSouth-west, but seeming to become numerous 

 towards the Interior and North-west. Rej)orted to frequent hills 

 and rocky country. Their claws are very powerful, and when 

 disturbed they will cling to the ground so tightly that it is difficult 

 to dislodge them. 



" Native name, ' Ningan.' " — G. C. S. 



Appendix on a Collection from Bernier Island. 



After making the fine collection above described, Mr. Shortridge 

 travelled northward by steamer to Carnarvon, and from there 

 paid a visit to Bernier Island, situated at the mouth of Shark's 

 Bay in 25° S. latitude. 



Ml-. Shortridge writes as follows about Bernier Island and its 

 mammals: — " The island is quite small — 16 iniles by 3 — sandy, and 

 covered for the most part rather thinly with low scrub, very like 

 the mainland. I am sending you a list of the mammals and birds. 

 Lagorchestes, Lagostroplius, and Bettongia swarmed in the island. 

 In the case of Lagostrophus I have never seen any animal, not 

 even rabbits, in such numbers. It has been a particularly dry 

 season, and they were very thin. Food was evidently insufficient 

 for them all, and dead specimens were lying about in all directions. 

 It would seem that they have no natui'al enemies on the island ; 

 and they breed to such an extent that the island will carry no 

 more, and in times of drought a number have to die. Lagorchestes 

 was not so plentiful. I believe Bernier Island will be the most 

 northern locality for all the three forms. The distribution of 



