1 8a THE WORLD OF ANIMAL LIFE 



and sharp claw. This is so terrible a weapon that it has often 

 been known to rip up the body of a large dog at a single stroke 

 of the kangaroo's leg. 



A kangaroo is always ready to run away, but, if brought to 

 bay, it will fight with great ferocit)'. It makes, if possible, for 

 a big tree, against which it sets its back, so that it cannot be 

 attacked from behind. And as soon as a man or a dog ventures 

 within reach it kicks out fiercely, and its aim is so true that it very 

 seldom misses its mark. 



So well is this habit known that those who hunt the kangaroo 

 put collars made of strong chain on their dogs, so as to prevent 

 them from being ripped up. 



But sometimes the kangaroo will kill the dogs in quite a dif- 

 ferent manner; for, if it can find a pond or a stream, it will leap 

 boldly in, and, seizing the first of its pursuers, will hold it under 

 water until it is drowned. 



Kangaroos are only found in Australia and Tasmania, where 

 they live in large flocks. As their skins can be made into very 

 excellent leather they are much sought after, and many thousands 

 are destroyed every year. So great, indeed, has been the annual 

 slaughter of these remarkable animals that in many parts of 

 Australia they are now protected by law during several months 

 in the year, just as pheasants, partridges, and other game birds 

 are protected in our own country. 



When kangaroos are first born they are only about an inch 

 long; not much bigger, indeed, than newly-born rats. But the 

 mother has the curious pouch in her body, in which she carries 

 her young until they are eight or nine months old. 



By chance the little ones may be seen poking their heads out 

 of the pouch, as though to see what the world is like. After 

 a time they are allowed to come out for a little while, and hop 

 about on the ground. But if any danger appears, their mother 

 quickly puts them back into her pouch, and keeps them there 

 until the danger is past. 



