294 VULPINE PHALANGER.

was taken by, and held between the hands in the same
manner as a squirrel holds a nut. Occasionally a dead
bird was given to these animals, which were evidently
fond of such food, and most particularly the brain, which
was the first part consumed.”

One of the smallest of this species, the beautiful pigmy
phalanger, is rather smaller than the common dormouse;
its colour is usually of a delicate rusty brown. Accor-
ding to Mr. Gould, it is abundantly and very generally
distributed over the colony of Swan River. Its habits
being strictly nocturnal, it secretes itself during the day
in the hollows of trees, and at night leaves its retreat
for the flowering branches of low shrubby trees. At
that time it is said to be very active, and when kept
in confinement will leap from side to side of its cage
in chase of insects, of which it is exceedingly fond.
The sexes present but little difference either in size or
colouring; in some specimens the under parts of the
body are slightly tinted with buff colour.