Page:The mammals of Australia Gould vol 1.djvu/199

 Gould.

Rusty-fronted Antechinus.

Having received two specimens of this animal direct from Sydney, I have little hesitation in stating New South Wales to he the true habitat of this new species; at the same time I am unable to say of what particular locality it is a native. Its yellowish rust-coloured face, more lengthened muzzle and larger size, at once distinguish it from Antechinus flavipes and A. unicolor, to both of which it is allied. It also differs from both in the more slender form and in the white colouring of its feet; points in which it offers some affinity to the smaller members of the genus, such as Antechinus fuliginosus, A. albipes, &c. In all probability this modification in the structure of the feet is accompanied by some diversity in the habits or economy of these slender-footed animals, but this is a point which can only be determined when we are able to obtain a more intimate knowledge of these singular little quadrupeds than we at present possess.

Fur moderately long and soft; face, head and occiput rusty fawn colour, interspersed with fine blackish hairs; general colour of the upper surface and sides of the body pale greyish brown, interspersed down the back with numerous fine blackish hairs; sides of the face washed with buff; throat and under surface of the body pale greyish white; all the four feet white; tail light brown.

Total length from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail 7¾ inches; of the tail 3¼; of the nose to the ear 1⅛ inch; of the ear ½ an inch; of the tarsi and toes ¾ of an inch.

The figures represent the animal of the size of life.