KANGAROOS. 



2 43 



this position. Thus, as shown in the figure of the skeleton on p. 238, the bones of 

 the lower leg (tibia and fibula) are immensely elongated, while the thigh-bone 

 (femur) is comparatively short, and the narrow pelvis set very obliquely to the 

 axis of the back-bone. Consequently, when the animal is resting in the usual 

 position, with the whole of the foot applied to the ground, the knee-joint forms 

 the summit of a solid support from which the whole body is suspended, as it were 

 on pivots. The kangaroo can, however, raise itself so as to be supported only by 

 the tips of the toes and the tail ; and when in this position is enabled to take a 

 wide survey of the country, and thus to obtain early warning of approaching 

 danger. ' When running," says the Old Bushman, "it springs from the ground in 

 an erect position, propelled by its powerful hind-legs and balanced by its tail, 

 holding its short fore-arms well into the chest, after the manner of a professional 

 runner. Thus it bounds lightly and easily along, clearing any obstacles, such as 

 fallen trees, and even low fences, in its stride. I never fairly measured one of 

 these strides or springs, but I am certain, when hard pressed, an ' old man,' or 

 living doe,' will clear nearly ten yards at a spring. The long tail materially 

 assists them in running, and its measured thumps maybe heard on the ground long 

 before the kangaroo itself appears in sight in the thick forest. It is a curious fact, 

 that a wounded kangaroo very often breaks the hind-leg in struggling; and I once 

 knew an 'old man' snap the bone just above the hock, as short as a carrot, in 

 taking a spring." In general habits, the writer continues, kangaroos much re- 

 semble sheep and deer. " Timid and shy, their senses of sight, hearing, and smell 

 are most acute. Like the hare, they appear to be unable to see an object directly 

 in front of them when running ; — at least I have often stood still and shot one down 

 as it came running up to me in the open forest. They are very gregarious, and are 

 always to be met with in smaller or larger droves. I have often seen as many as 

 one hundred and fifty in a drove, and our general ' mobs ' used to average fifty or 

 sixty. After the rutting-season, the ' old men' will often draw away from the 

 ' mobs,' and retire by themselves to the thickest scrub. Each drove frequents a 

 certain district, and has its own particular camping and feeding-grounds. The 

 ' mobs ' do not appear to mix, and when the shooter once obtains a knowledge of 

 the country, he has no difficulty in planting himself for a shot. Their camping- 

 grounds are generally on some open timbered rise, and they have well-trodden 

 runs from one ground to another. They feed early in the morning and at twilight, 

 and I think also much at night. The kangaroo lies up by day, during the hot 

 summer weather, in damp, thickly-scrubbed gullies ; in the winter, on dry, sandy- 

 rises. Here, unless disturbed, they will remain quiet for hours ; and it is a pretty 

 sight to watch a ' mob ' camped up, some of them playing with each other, some 

 quietly nibbling the young shrubs and grass, or basking in the sun half asleep on 

 their sides. About Christmas the young ones appear to leave their mothers' sides, 

 and congregate in ' mobs ' by themselves ; I have seen as many as fifty running 

 together, and very pretty they looked." When on the move, kangaroos invariably 

 follow a leader ; and when once started, it is impossible to divert a drove from the 

 direction they have taken. Except during the pairing-season, when the males 

 engage in fierce contests, these animals are as peaceful and harmless as sheep. 

 When hard pressed, a kangaroo will take readily to the water : and there is an 



