244 MARVELS OF THE ANIMAL WORLD 



size, and the rat-kangaroos or portoroos, the 

 latter being divided into nine different species, 

 comprising four genera, all of which inhabit 

 Australia and Tasmania. The rat-kangaroos are 

 nocturnal in habits and, as already mentioned in a 

 previous chapter, are in the habit of constructing 

 nests within which they hide and rest during the 

 daytime. 



In the musk -kangaroo (Hypsiprymnodonmoschatus) 

 we have an animal which is regarded as forming 

 a connecting Hnk between the rat-kangaroos and 

 the phalangers. Sometimes known as the five- 

 toed kangaroo, this creature is only found in 

 Queensland. In general appearance it greatly 

 resembles a large rat, its muzzle being very pointed, 

 and its tail being devoid of hair and covered with 

 scales. It is only found in the forests of Queensland, 

 and, unlike other members of the kangaroo family, 

 feeds upon insects and worms, in addition to a diet 

 of roots and berries. The female, moreover, 

 frequently gives birth to two young ones instead 

 of a single one. The species is stated to be fairly 

 plentiful in its habitat, but owing to its retiring 

 disposition it is seldom captured, and no living 

 examples have ever been seen in this country. 



Although the majority of kangaroos have excep- 

 tionally long and powerful hind-legs, by means of 

 which they can progress in a series of bounds, yet 

 certain species, known as tree-kangaroos, are 

 unique on account of their hind-legs being but little 

 longer than their fore -legs, with the result that they 

 are unable to execute the enormous bounding leaps 



