Xll INTEOBUCTION. 



sporting propensities be ever so keen. One can imagine 

 the real sportsman, who finds his sphere too cramped and 

 limited at home, wishing to pay a visit to the wilds of 

 Africa, or the prairies of the far West. In both these 

 countries the game is well worth following, and the value 

 of the quarry amply compensates for the risk and trouble 

 attendant upon its pursuit. But in Australia the kan- 

 garoo and the wild dog are the only large animals of 

 chase, and the only game-birds of any size are the emu 

 and wild turkey. The kangaroo, as a wild animal, stands 

 about on a par with the park deer at home. The wild 

 turkey is now rare in the Melbourne district, and an 

 emu, at the present day, killed within forty miles of the 

 town, would be a matter of history. But for small 

 game, I don't think this country can be surpassed ; and 

 ducks, pigeon, quail, and snipe, may be killed in almost 

 any quantities, at the proper seasons, in those districts 

 where they have not been shot out. After all, a man 

 can always make sure of a better day's sport here than 

 at home (unless he happens to be the lucky possessor of 

 covers and preserves of his own, and then he will most 

 likely stay where he is well off), without the expense of 

 a certificate, and with no fear of a bullying gamekeeper 

 before his eyes. If he leaves the neighbourhood of the 

 town he can wander pretty nearly where he pleases, and 

 he has the satisfaction of knowing that, should all other 

 trades fail, he can at least get his living by his gun if he 

 knows how to use it, and this is more than he could do 

 at home. The very absence of all those wild animals to' 



