A TALK ABOUT KANGAROOS 245 



that their longer-legged brethren can accomplish. 

 Such being the case, one would naturally expect 

 to find that their lack of abihty in such respect 

 would prove detrimental to the well-being of the 

 species ; but in our endeavours to solve the problems 

 which Nature confronts us with, it is important 

 that we should first of all inquire into the ' why 

 and the wherefore,' and the surest means of clearing 

 up any difficulties or doubts is to discover the habits 

 of the animals with which we are concerned. If, 

 then, we proceed to inquire into the mode of life 

 of the tree-kangaroos, it wiU be clearly brought to 

 mind that the possession of long hind-legs would 

 not be at aU advantageous to the creatures, for, 

 as their name implies, they are arboreal in habita 

 and spend the greater part of their time amidst 

 the branches of trees, feeding upon the leaves,, 

 and, consequently, the need for them to jump to 

 any extent does not arise. 



The distribution of the tree-kangaroos, of which 

 there are several species, is confined to New Guinea 

 and Northern Queensland. The animals are of 

 a very timid disposition, and as they resort to the 

 remote and dense forests of their habitat, and are 

 largely noctm-nal in habits, very few naturalists 

 have ever had the opportunity of observing them, 

 in a wild state. According to native reports, 

 however, the creatures never drink ; and although 

 this statement may appear to be somewhat remark- 

 able, yet it is by no means an uncommon circum- 

 stance for arboreal mammals to abstain from 

 imbibing water, for they are able to obtain a 



