HALMATURUS MANICATUS, Gould. 



Black-g'loved Wallaby. 



Spec. Char. — Halm, obscure griseus ; vellere apud partes inferior es pallidiore et Jiavescente ^ capite supra fidiginoso, occipite 

 necnon auribus ewterne nigris ; utraque gena linea Jiavescente notata ; tar sis antipedibusqueflavescentibus, antrorsum 

 nigris ; cauda nigra ad basin grisea. 



Descr. — General colour of the upper surface of the body deep grey, produced by the admixture of black and white, the 

 hairs being black at the tip, and annulated with white near the tip ; sides and under surface of the body paler 

 grey, tinted with buff-yellow ; this yellow tint is almost pure on the abdomen between the hind legs, on the feet 

 and inner side of the ears : the upper surface of the head and muzzle are of a soot-like colour, and the occiput 

 and back of the ears, as well as the apical portion in front, are pure black ; a yellowish white line is observable 

 on each side of the muzzle, commencing at the tip, and running backwards beneath the eye ; the fore half of the 

 hands and feet are pure black, appearing as if they had been dipped in ink or some other black liquid, the black 

 not blending, as usual, with the pale colour of the hind part of the feet, but terminating in an abrupt line ; the 

 greater portion of the tail (which is well clothed with harsh hairs) is of the same black colour ; at the base, 

 however, it is coloured as the body ; and on the upper surface, for a considerable distance from the base, the 

 black hairs are more or less annulated with whitish, producing a grizzled appearance ; on the chin is a small 

 black patch. 



Female. 



feet. inches. 



Length from the nose to the extremity of the tail ....... 5 



of tail 2 3 



„ tarsus and toes, including the nail 8|- 



„ arm and hand, including the nails 5 



„ face from the tip of the nose to the base of the ear ... 5^ 



„ ear 3^ 



Halmaturus manicatics, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc. for Oct. 13, 1840. 



This beautiful and singularly marked Wallaby is a native of Swan River, where it would appear to be common, since 

 the rugs usually slept upon by persons who lead a bush-life in Australia are frequently made of its skins. My own speci- 

 men, however, is, I believe, the only one that has yet been sent to Europe in a perfect state, although at least forty 

 skins without the head and legs have come under my notice. 



The following brief account of this animal has been forwarded to me by Mr. Gilbert, and is, I regret to say, all I have 

 to communicate respecting it : — 



" Found and equally abundant in all parts of the colony of Swan River : generally inhabiting scrubby places : may occa- 

 sionally be seen feeding on the open plains, but always takes to the scrub again when hunted ; it runs very fast." 



In size it nearly equals Halmaturus ulabatus and Halmaturus Parryi, to the latter of which it assimilates in many of its 

 characters. 



