The Australian Bush. 425 



smaller game, and a good living to be obtained by an industrious 

 man in any district a little distance from town, where there is a sale 

 for the birds. Prices run tolerably high for all kinds of game in 

 Melbourne, and although the days are gone by when we could sell 

 a couple of black ducks for us. or j$s., a couple of snipe for a 

 crown (which I have done), or a couple of pigeons for 35. 6d., 

 there is still a good living to be made by the gun if a man works 

 hard and is camped in a tolerable district, especially if he can 

 skin and preserve pretty parrots and other showy birds' skins for 

 sale. 



To the regular fur-hunter the Australian bush offers few attrac- 

 tions, the kangaroo, the wallabee, the native bear, the opossum, the 

 dingo, the native cats and squirrels, being about all I know in the 

 bush worth hunting. The duck-billed platypus is abundant in 

 many of the creeks and water-holes up the country, and this skin 

 is always worth preserving. 



But the very security with which one can live in these forests, 

 safe from the attacks of any wild animals, is one of the greatest 

 charms of bush life in Australia. There is not a single wild animal 

 to fear (although at times a half-wild ox is dangerous) ; and were it 

 not for the snakes which abound in all parts, there is little or 

 nothing to be afraid of while wandering in this wild country. 

 Always have a couple of bullets ready patched, to slip into your 

 gun in case one of these cattle looks dangerous. It won't burst 

 the gun even : f you ram the bullet down on to the charge of shot, 

 for I have tried it. Be cool; and if you must shoot, don't fire till 

 he lowers his head. Aim, if possible, at the curl of the hair on the 

 forehead. In. case you have to shoot a bullock, go directly to the 

 station and report it, or you may get into trouble. You may have 

 to pay for the bullock, but better this than lose your life. The 

 blacks are sometimes troublesome, and I can't say I ever liked them 

 as neighbours ; but there is little to be feared from them in the 

 settled districts, and little presents of tea, sugar, and tobacco will 

 go a long way to gain their favour. I have heard the Murray 

 blacks spoken of as excellent fellows. 



