Page:Mammals of Australia (Gould), introduction.djvu/49

 57. Phascolomys latifrons, Owen

Habitat. Victoria and South Australia.

58. Phascolomys lasiorhinus, Gould

Habitat. Victoria and South Australia.

59. Phascolomys niger, Gould

Habitat. South Australia?

Family MACROPODIDÆ.

Genus, Shaw.

60. Macropus major, Shaw

Habitat. New South Wales, Victoria, and Van Diemen's Land.

61. Macropus ocydromus, Gould

Speaking of this animal, Mr. Gilbert states that, "if a female with a tolerably large one in the pouch be pursued, she will often by a sudden jerk throw the little creature out; but whether this be done for her own protection, or for the purpose of misleading the dogs, is a disputed point. I am induced to think the former is the case, for I have observed that the dogs pass on without noticing the young one, which generally crouches in a tuft of grass, or hides itself among the scrub, without attempting to run or make its escape; if the mother evades pursuit, she doubtless returns and picks it up.

"Those inhabiting the forests are invariably much darker, and, if anything, have a thicker coat than those of the plains. The young are at first of a very light fawn-colour, but get darker until two years old, from which age they again become lighter, till in the old males they become very light grey. In summer their coat becomes light and hairy, while in winter it is of a more woolly character. It is a very common occurrence to find them with white marks or spots of white about