332 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 
its most distinctive features are the soft and silky character of its brownish hair, and its longer 
and more pointed ears. The coarseness of the hair of the Tasmanian species has been 
previously referred to; in colour it is most usually a dark greyish brown, while the ears are 
small and rounded. 
The flesh of the wombat is somewhat esteemed for food, being regarded by some as equal 
to pork, and much resembling it in flavour. The predilection of tame specimens for milk is 
very strong, and it has been recorded of one animal that it was not only in the habit of 
seeking out the milk-pans and pushing off the covers in order to drink the contents, but 
afterwards of taking a bath in what was left. 
A remarkable habit has been accredited to the wombat which invites scientific 
investigation. It is said to be capable of sustaining life for an abnormally long period 
under water, and that when 
in the course of its travels it 
meets with a pond or river 
it does not attempt to swim, 
but, deliberately entering the 
water, walks along the bottom, 
andsoemerges on theopposite 
bank. 
The animals of Australia 
living in not very remote 
geological times included a 
near ally of the wombat 
which equalled a tapir in 
dimensions. . 
THE BANDICOOTS 
The Australian BANDI- 
COOTS—not to be confounded 
HAIRY-NOSED WOMBAT with their namesake of India, 
Ai form peculiar to South Australia which is a big rat — constitute 
a very distinct little family 
group. They number in all some eight or nine species, distributed throughout the length 
and breadth of Australia and Tasmania, and found also in New Guinea. The largest member. 
is about the size of a rabbit; and as its general shape, long ears, and soft silky hair impart 
some slight resemblance to that rodent, it is commonly known as the RABBIT-BANDICOOT. With 
the above-enumerated points, however, the likeness ceases — its possession of a moderately 
long tail, pointed snout, and feet modified on a plan closely resembling those of the 
kangaroo’s indicating its essentially distinct nature. In a second variety, having somewhat: 
the same external contour, but smaller in size, the fore limbs are very short, and the 
feet so modified that only two toes are visible externally. With reference to this peculiar 
feature, it is known as the PIG-FOOTED BANDICOOT. In a third kind of similar dimensions, 
with harsh brown fur, the ears are comparatively short, and the snout is so abnormally: 
prolonged that it has been appropriately named the LONG-NOSED BANDICOOT. Superficially, 
in point of fact, this and other allied species so closely resemble certain of the long-snouted 
insectivorous mammals, such as the Tenrec and Solenodon, that they might be excusably 
mistaken by the non-scientific for members of the same group. The bandicoots are chiefly 
nocturnal, and at all events incorrigible “sun-downers,” turning up for their meals when 
the evening shadows fall, and taking a heavy and unwelcome toll of the farmers’ potatoes, 
beets, or other root crops. Like the wombat, already described, they are earth-burrowers, Some 
of them, however, construct nests above-ground in long coarse grass or low tangled shrubs, 
which are so ingeniously built in accord with their environment as to readily escape detection. 
Photo by E. Landor 
