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ANTECHINUS FERRUGINIFRONS, Gow.

Rusty-fronted Antechinus.

 

Havine received two specimens of this animal direct from Sydney, I have little hesitation in stating New
South Wales to be the true habitat of this new species ; at the same time I am unable to say of what par-
ticular 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. Tn 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 72 inches; of the tail 3:1; of the nose to the

2

The figures represent the animal of the size of life.

ear 12 inch; of the ear + an inch ; of the tarsi and toes ¢ of an inch.

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