Ring-tail Phalanger. 
(PITALANGISTA COOKII. Desm.) 
Fuk dense, and moderately soft; upper parts of body grey, more or less suffused with red; flanks and outer surface of 
limbs bright rust colour, beneath whitish ; ears short, hairy, sometimes with a white spot at the base ; tail rusty at the 
upper part, which colour darkens to within a third of the total length, and ends in a white tip. The white portion 
of the tail varies considerably in different individuals, and is sometimes altogether absent. 
The rusty-coloured Phalanger inhabits the east coast of Australia, and may be considered peculiar to New South 
Wales and the southern portions of Queensland. 
A darker variety is found in Tasmania, and in other parts of Australia, extending as far as tire Swan River 
Colony. The specimens observed in New South Wales, west of the coast range, are generally much paler than the 
animals found in the dense scrub near the sea-boarcl ; there can be no doubt, however, that ail the Ring-tailed 
Phalangers, of whatever colour, are varieties of one and the same species. 
These remarks are based upon a careful examination of many skeletons and skulls from the localities before 
mentioned, and they must be considered far better characteristics than the colour of the fur or the length of the ears, 
which appear so important to superficial writers. 
The Ring-tailed Phalangers are closely allied to the Petaurista. or Great Flying Squirrel (or better Phalanger), 
much more so than may at first appear. The dentition of these two groups, in shape, number, and arrangement, is 
almost identical ; but both differ considerably from the smaller Flying Phalangers — the well-known “ Sugar Squirrels.” 
North Australia produces several species of Phalangers, which have a wide geographical range beyond New 
Holland; they belong to the genus Caucus, and are distinguished by their remarkably short ears and partly nude tail. 
The best known Cuscim is a large grey species, more or less spotted, the fur in texture and colour bearing a close 
resemblance to the fur of the Koala or Native Bear. 
Returning to the southern Phalangers, it is pleasing to notice that the original “ Phalanger of Cook ” was one 
of the rufous-grey specimens of New South Wales, or what was then considered New South Wales, before the parent 
Colony had given birth to the prosperous divisions of Victoria and Queensland. The animal was discovered by Sir 
Joseph Banks on the Endeavour River, during Cook’s first voyage, and the second specimen which came to hand was 
obtained during the great navigator’s last expedition, at Adventure Bay, in Van Diemen’s Land. Years passed on, and 
more Phalangers, from other parts, had been brought to England, but all were considered to be one and the same 
species by the naturalists of the day, till Mr. Waterhouse, the most able writer on our Fauna, declared both animals to 
be specifically identical. It is necessary to enlarge upon this subject, because less painstaking authors than Waterhouse 
are constantly dividing “ Cook’s Opossum ” again and again, when they observe a new variation in the colouring ; the 
last and most brilliant species being the “ Victorian Ring-tailed Phalanger,” but in truth only the dark variety of honest 
Captain Cook’s own “ Ring-tail.” It is time for naturalists to take broader views, and to cease confusing the many 
eager students who are only too willing to learn, but are constantly disheartened by empty discussions about dark and 
light hair and long or short ears, among the great Professors. 
It is well known that all Phalangers are nocturnal in their habits, and Mr. Gould informs us that this particular 
species of Cook spends its days in the spouts and holes of the larger trees. Mr. Gould is not quite correct in this 
instance, as the animal much more frequently constructs a most beautiful covered nest among the slender branches of 
high trees, probably on account of the marauding propensities of the “ Tiger Cats,” it being no match for these 
ferocious brutes. 
The female is provided with a well-formed pouch, containing four mamma?, and the number of young seldom 
exceeds two. Mr. Masters took four young from the pouch of a specimen on one occasion; so large a number is, however, 
an exception. We will now give a general review of the group, as it comprises many species which are not figured 
in this work. 
