BRUSH-TAILED ROCK-KANGAROO. J 60 
of the Hunter. Mr. Gould hns likewise ascertained (hat it is 
very abundant on the Turi, and the other mountains situated 
to the eastward of the Liverpool Plains. According to the 
gentleman last mentioned, the Rock - Kangaroo is strictly 
gregarious, assembling in such numbers as to form well- 
beaten paths along the sides of the mountains. “ Their 
agility in leaping from rock to rock/' Mr. Gould observes, 
is truly surprising, often alighting upon ledges so slight and 
narrow that it appears almost impossible for thorn to retain 
their footing : tliis power tends greatly to their protection, ns 
neither the wily aborigine, nor their still greater enemy the 
Dingo, can follow them to their retreats. When closely 
pursued, and during the heat of the day, they seek shelter in 
the crevices and caverns of the rocks : to the caverns they 
evince a great partiality, usually, however, selecting those 
which have more than one outlet ; a precaution rendered 
necessary by the frequent intrusion of the Dingo, who also 
resorts to similar situations. The Macropun penicillatus is 
strictly nocturnal in its habits, and during the night frequently 
leaves its well-beaten tracks among the rocks for the grass 
beds on the crowns or at the base of the mountains, but never 
so far from its haunts as to be unable to retreat again on the 
slightest alarm. It also readily ascends the truuks of sloping 
trees, wearing a kind of track or path on the back.” 
“ As an article of food, the flesh of tills animal is most 
excellent" 
A specimen of the Rock Kangaroo which was living in the 
menagerie of the Zoological Society in 1836, displayed the 
goat-like propensity of perching itself upon some small ledge, 
and appeared to be remarkably fond of leaping on to a narrow’ 
shelf which was raised about three feet from the ground in 
its den: on tliis it would sit and balance itself*, although it 
would have appeared almost impossible that it could do so; 
and, alter a short time, it would descend to leap up again 
