342 SPORTING IN BOTH HEMISPHERES. 



and out of danger, having escaped with a few singes, a strong 

 feeling of having been half-suffocated, and our eyes running 

 with water. These fires generally arise from the carelessness 

 of travellers, who leave the ashes of their bivouac alight 

 after their departure, or carelessly throw tinder away into 

 the bush, both of which causes, during the dry season, are 

 quite sufficient to set fire to either grass or dry underwood. 



These fires are not confined to the bush alone, where they 

 are comparatively harmless, but often spread over the grass- 

 land in the dry season, doing infinite damage, and totally 

 destroying the pasturage for many miles in extent. It is a 

 curious and imposing sight to th etraveller on the plains, who 

 observes a low and extensive line of flame approaching 

 towards him, or in whatever direction the wind happens to 

 be, leaving the whole country bare and blackened behind it, 

 and devouring every vestige of herbage in its ruthless course. 



Although an Australian forest is far more grand and 

 extensive when viewed from an eminence than anything we 

 can form an idea of from European comparison, still it is 

 sadly deficient in what, to all sportsmen, heightens the charms 

 of sylvan scenery, viz., game of almost any kind. Deer, 

 hares, and rabbits are unknown. Of the ferae, naturce the 

 wild dog or dingo is the only one, and that is becoming very 

 scarce. No birds, in my opinion fit for the table, are found, 

 except the beautiful bronze- winged pigeon, and snipe and 

 wild-fowl in occasional creeks and swamps. A wood-duck, 

 which perches on trees, is sometimes met with. Of animals, 

 the opossum, kangaroo-rat (the kangaroo frequents the plains 

 more than the woods), and native cat, a species of weasel or 

 genet, comprise the sum total, and they are all very prob- 

 lematical eating. The wombat, or Australian bear, burrows 

 in large holes in the sides of the hills, and only comes out 

 at night. 



On the open and cultivated land and low scrub a few quails 



