68 Weindorfpir and Francis, Wild Life in Tasmania, [yll^xxxvi 



settlement. In those days the kangaroo could hardly be called 

 a night animal, for to see a dozen or more of them grazing on 

 the plains in broad daylight was no uncommon thing. Now- 

 adays, since their ranks have been sorely depleted by dog, 

 snare, and gun, they are rarely seen in daytime out on the 

 plains unless fleeing from danger or during the pairing season, 

 which falls about October or November, according to locality 

 and season. 



The kangaroo is one of the greatest roamers of the bush. 

 It has no definite home, but in choosing its locality will always 

 prefer a warm and sunny spot in winter and a cool one iji 

 summer. Like the wombat, it does not live in pairs, and after 

 the mating season the different sexes will keep strictly to them- 

 selves, which the snare seems to prove. In daytime it lies 

 hidden under bushes, below rocks or tufts of cutting-grass. 

 On the approach of danger it lies low, and only at the last moment 

 takes to its heels. The younger animals are faster than the 

 old ones, which, to avoid the dogs, are forced to have recourse 

 to frequent " doublings." This is always done without the 

 aid of the tail, as imprints in the snow clearly show. In any 

 case, the tail is only used as a means of support while sitting, 

 and during quick movements in level situations is kept off 

 the, ground in a slightly horizontal position, but comes into 

 action in uneven ground as a means to preserve the equi- 

 librium. In cases of emergency, when close pressed by the 

 dogs, the mother will, during its flight, disposess itself of its 

 young, which cannot be effected in any other way than with the 

 help of its arms. The action takes places so quickly that, though 

 some may be able to see the half -grown youngster thrown out 

 on to the ground, the observers have never yet seen hov,^ it is 

 done. 



{To be continued.) 



A Fossil Bluff. — A rather unusual proclamation, that of 

 an area of land on account of its geological interest, was 

 made by the Lands Department of Tasmania in February 

 last, when 7 acres 3 roods at Table Cape (Wynyard) was set 

 aside as a reserved area for scientific purposes — viz., the 

 preservation of fossils. A local syndicate had been en- 

 deavouring to secure the land and work it for manurial pur- 

 poses, but the locaL Tourist Association opposed the scheme, 

 and secured its permanent reservation, on account of its 

 great interest to scientists and others. 



