0 S FHM A E rT EM .? ■ p l l
OSPHRANTER? PARRYI.
Parry’s Wallaroo.
L i f e - s i z e d H e a d a n d F o r e -a r m s o f b o t h s e x e s .
I f this be the least of the Wallaroos, it is one of the most elegant and chastely coloured
species yet discovered. The rocky districts of the eastern portion of New South Wales
are its true, and probably its restricted habitat; there it dwells among the precipitous
rocks and sterile crowns of the mountains, feeding upon the vegetation peculiar to such
situations. In most instances the Osphranters differ considerably in the colouring of the
male and female, but in the 0. Parryi this feature is less conspicuous than in its congeners.
The more diminutive size of this species enables me to figure not only the head, but also
a considerable portion of the fore quarters, of the size of life. On reference to the Plate,
it will be seen that, as with the other members of the genus, there is much difference in
the size of the sexes. Its muzzle, like that of 0. I'ufus, is more hairy than that of 0. robustm
or 0 . antilopinus.
Like some of the larger Kangaroos, this fine animal requires protection, otherwise it will
be speedily extirpated; its extreme agility among the rocks, and the sterile nature of the
districts it frequents, will, however, tend somewhat to its preservation.
For a history of the species the reader is referred to the succeeding page.