172 Reminiscences of 



But another animal plague has come in Australia, 

 since the disappearance of the kangaroo, that of the 

 little cotton-tail rabbit, unfortunately introduced by 

 an experimental mistake. These rabbits have mul- 

 tiplied so immensely as to become a serious men- 

 ace to the sheep industry, and are now estimated 

 to consume the feed of twenty millions of sheep. 

 Large sums have been offered by the authorities 

 for any remedy which would destroy them, but 

 without avail. Although the same rabbits exist 

 in California, they are comparatively scarce, and 

 it has been a wonderment to me why they have 

 not increased. Possibly the coyotes and small vermin 

 destroy them. In Australia they have the dingos or 

 native wild dogs, and the Wallaby bandicoots, native 

 cats, in abundance, but they do not seem to have any 

 appreciable effect on the rabbits. 



In the morning we found that the great body of 

 buffalo had passed on north, and we saw only a few 

 scattered groups during the day. We had had enough 

 killing to satisfy us, and having seen all the buffalo 

 we desired, besides antelope and small game, con- 

 cluded to join another caravan that preceded us, 

 which, being headed for Utah, diverted from the route 

 our caravan was passing for the Platte River to follow 

 the stage road from Julesburg, which place we reached 

 in a few days. There we concluded to dispose of our 

 mule team and horses, and take the stage for Denver. 

 I remained in Colorado a few months, after which I 

 returned by stage to the Missouri River, and by rail- 

 road to Boston. 



