
TREE-KANGAROO 5 
Description.—The fur is soft and long, especially on the back 
and sides. ‘The hair radiates from a point some distance behind the 
shoulders, whence it is directed upwards to the head, and meets the 
hair of the face in front of the ears, and forms a tortuous crest; but 
little indication of a crest is noticed in the living animal. ‘The face 
is grey, passing into chestnut and rufous on the head; the upper 
surface of the body is dark warm brown, black at and around the 
point of radiation, and generally dark on the vertebral line; the 
tint is lighter on the sides, haunches, and rump; the back of the 
neck is a rich reddish-brown ; the lower surface is generally darker 
from the chest to the pouch, thence more rusty. but lighter beyond. 
The tail, which is longer than the head and body together, is 
cylindrical, thick at the base and tapering ; its fur is harsher than 
that on the body; it gradually lengthens towards the tip, and forms 
a distinct tuft. At the upper base of the tail is a conspicuous 
reddish-brown patch, passing abruptly into black, which colour 
extends for 4 or 5 inches, and somewhat suddenly gives place to — 
light rufous brown; this tint extends to within a third of the tip, 
and insensibly merges into black. The ventral surface of the tail is 
black throughout the entire length. The fore feet are black; so 
are the hind feet, but with lighter hairs above. All the toes and 
claws are black. The dorsal surface of an animal, including the 
tail, is generally darker than the ventral surface. To this rule 
exceptions are extremely few. In both the Queensland species the 
colouration of the tail is reversed, the ventral surface being the 
darker. The length of the body is about two feet. 
Hadits.—It is nocturnal. In the day time this tree-kangaroo 
frequents the top branches of the trees, but comes down in the 
evening to feed upon creepers, ferns, and fruits. It has been found 
down on the flat land, but as a rule it seems to be most numerous 
on or near the top of the high ridges, which are from 1500 to 2500 
feet high. When found in the day time it is generally asleep, with 
the head hanging on the breast heaven the fore limbs, the tail 
being used as a balancing pole. Normally the ears have a hori- 
zontal aspect, but are drooped somewhat during sleep. When the 
animal is alarmed they are suddenly pricked, but never pressed 
backwards. In this respect it resembles the phalangers. When 
roused and hunted it has been seen to jump 20 to 30 feet from one 
tree to another, and leap 60 feet to the ground without hurting 
itself. When jumping it seems always to land on its fore feet. Mr. 
Hislop. says :—‘‘ Though I have repeatedly shaken tree-kangaroos 
down from a great height, I never saw one injured, as they always 
(like a cat) fall on their feet.” 
The tail is never used to hang by, only to balance with; but it 
has been seen to bend its tail over a branch while it reached down 
below the branch upon which it was sitting to secure some berries. 
The tail is usually passed under the body and carried in front. Mr. 
Le Souef writes:—‘‘ When on the ground their tails are curved 
upwards, and do not as a rule rest on the ground as with the 
ordinary kangaroos.” ‘The males are very pugnacious, and, if two 

