170 a hand-book of the management of animals 



Observations on theik habits. 



Shy and retiring in disposition, they seldom come out of their 

 inner chamber during the day. As a rule they are gentle and inoffen- 

 sive, but occasionally they have been found to fight among themselves, 

 and bite each other. Their habit of burrowing has already been men- 

 tioned. 



(235) THE VULPINE PHALANGER. 



(PHALANGISTA VULPINA— (Shaw.) ) 



About the size of a small fox ; general colour of the body grey ; 

 ears white ; tail black. 

 Hub.— Australia. 



Length of life in captivity. 

 Specimens have lived over three years. 



Treatment in health. 



With respect to housing and feeding, it may be treated like a 

 flying squirrel (see page 117), except that it feeds on soft vegetables 

 and roots. 



Observations on its habits. 



It is nocturnal in habits, so that it is always hiding under the 

 straw. It is an active creature at night, when it may be seen jumping 

 with great nimbleness and agility. 



(236) GAIMARD'S RAT KANGAROO. 



(BETTONGIA GAIMARDI— Gray.) 



Smaller in size than a rabit ; head short and broad; tailprehensile, 

 with a tuft of hair at the end. 



Sab. — Australia and Tasmania. 



Length of life in captivity. 



From June 1882 to January 1892. 



With respect to housing and feeding, it may be treated like the 

 preceding species ; entirely a terrestrial animal. 



(237) THE YELLOW-FOOTED ROOK KANGAROO. 



(PETBOGALE XANTHOPUS-GV^.) 



The tail of this species is thinner than in the next one, and is 

 pencilled. 



Sab. — The whole of the mainland of Australia. 



