THE KANGAROO. 5 



for any domestic purpose ; but I think that the Bkins, 

 when properly dressed, would make famous linings for a 

 winter cloak, or pells in northern climes. They make an 

 excellent apron for a gig or dog-cart ; and when lined, 

 are very showy. In the rutting season they have a very 

 red tinge underneath, and we occasionally see one with 

 the whole body-colour approaching to light chestnut. As 

 they advance in age, the colour appears to fade ; and I 

 recollect a pure white " old man " in one of the mobs at 

 "Western-port. He suddenly disappeared, but I don't 

 think any one shot him, or we should have heard of it. 

 I do not, however, mean to infer that all the old kan- 

 garoos would become white if they lived long enough. 

 I consider a pure white kangaroo nothing more than a 

 very rare Albino variety. We occasionally meet with 

 such anomalies among birds ; and I recollect a milk-white 

 teal, which flew with a mob of black-duck on Langhome 

 Swamp out here. The skins are, of course, best for fur 

 in the winter. When the skins are well picked, and 

 properly dressed and sewed, a kangaroo rug beats any 

 other for bush-work (but for out-door use they should 

 be tanned) ; and a pair of kangaroo-leather boots are a 

 real luxury to any old gentleman whose feet are tender, 

 and who wishes to preserve a favourite corn. 



In stretching the skins, the shooter should try to get 

 them as square as possible ; and this is best done by 

 stretching them on sticks, something after the fashion 

 of a boy's paper kite. But they will dry just as well if 

 stretched and nailed out against a tree, and the tanners 



