(RAD G

PETROGALE PENICILLATA, Gray.
Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby.

Kangurus pencillatus, Gray, in Griff. Anim. Kingd., vol. iii. pl. opp. p. 49.

Macropus penicillatus, Benn. in Proc. Zool. Soc., part iii. p. 1—Waterh. in Jard. Nat. Lib. M
supialia) p. 243. pl. 22.—Benn. Cat. of Australian Museum

Kangurus Pencillatus, Gray, in Griff. Anim. Kingd., vol. v. p. 204.

Petrogale pencillatus, Gray, in Mag, Nat. Hist., vol. i. new ser. p. 583.

Heteropus albogularis, Jourd. Compte rendu de l’Acad. des Sci. Oct. 9, 1837, p. 552?, et Ann. des Sci. Nat 1837
tom. vill. p. 368 ?

amm., vol. xi. (Mar-
, Sydney, p. 6. no. 27.

Petrogale penicillata, Gould, Mon. of Macropodide.—Gray, List of Mamm. in Coll. Brit. Mus. p. 92.
Macropus (Heteropus) penicillatus, Waterh. Nat. Hist. Mamm., vol. i. p. 167. plows

 

Tur Colony of New South Wales, or the south-eastern portion of Australia, is the native habitat of the

s universally dispersed over this part of
the continent, for the situations it affects and for which its structure

Petrogale penicillata ; it must not, however, be understood that it 1
iS especially adapted are very peculiar,
and do not occur in all parts of the colony; those portions of the mountain ranges stretching along the
eastern coast from Port Philip to Moreton Bay, the character of which is rocky and precipitous, are among
the localities in which it is to be found; hills of a lower elevation than those of the great ranges, and the
precipitous stony gullies between the mountains and the sea, are also situations it inhabits ; my own speci-
mens were collected in various parts of the Upper Hunter district, both on the Liverpool Range and on
the low hills which spur out in a southerly direction. Agile and monkey-like in its actions, few animals
are more active among their native rocks; it readily evades the pursuit of the Dingo or native dog (Canis
Dingo) by leaping from one rocky ledge to another, until, arriving at the edge of the cliff, it is secure from
its attacks ; it also ascends trees with facility, particularly those the half-prostrate position of which offer it
a ready means of ascent; but it more particularly loves to dwell among rocks abounding with deep and
cavernous recesses, into which it plunges on the slightest apprehension of danger, when both the natives
and its natural enemy the Dingo are generally foiled ; at the mouths of these caverns, and for a considerable
distance down the hill-sides, regular, hard, well-beaten tracks are formed, which, on the one hand, serve to
facilitate the retreat of the animal to its secure asylum, while, on the other, they indicate its proximity. I

>

have used the words “‘ monkey-like ” when speaking of its actions; and to show that they appeared as such
to others as well as to myself, I may mention that in a note by Capt. Sir Edward W. Parry, R.N., published
in the part of the Proceedings of the Zoological Society above referred to, it is stated that “the first inti-
mation received of these animals was that monkeys were to be seen in a particular situation ; and the
manner in which they jumped about when a number of them were approached left that impression on the
mind. They were so wild that it was impossible on the first attempt to obtain a specimen, and one which
was wounded escaped into its hole.” Sir Edward adds, ‘“ As several were seen together on more than one
occasion, they appear to be gregarious.” It must be regarded rather as a local animal than otherwise, as
it is never to be found but in districts similar to those described. Although strictly nocturnal in its habits,
individuals may frequently be seen during the day sunning themselves on the face of a rock or on half-
prostrate trees. At such times they may be easily crept upon and shot; it was in this way that I procured
numerous specimens for my own collection. : ae
Several examples of this species have from time to time lived in the Gardens of the Zoological Society in
the Regent’s Park, and when placed in a proper inclosure displayed all the actions and a they assume
in their native wilds. A fine male now (October 1853) living in the Society's Menagerie formed the model
from which Mr. Richter took the correct delineation given on the accompanying Plate; it wie an excellent
sitter, for it remained perched on the stem of a large tree for hours together. Great diversity of aaa
occurs in different individuals, some being much darker than others ; again, some lave ao breast and under
surface rich rust-red, while in others the same parts are of a much paler hue, or inclining to buff.

: pe ina -he well-defined genus to which it
The Petrogale penicillata may be regarded as the largest species of the 7