A TALK ABOUT KANGAROOS 241 



due course the larynx becomes shortened and the 

 creature breathes and swallows in a normal manner. 



Not until the baby is about eight months old 

 does it discard the shelter of its mother's pouch, 

 although towards the end of that period it fre- 

 quently takes an outing and explores the unknown 

 world. 



Kangaroos evince great affection for their pro- 

 geny, and have even been known to shelter the 

 bereaved offspring of some other kangaroo. 



When hunted, the female will pick up her young 

 one, even when she is running at fuU speed, and 

 endeavour to bolt off to safety. If hard pressed, 

 however, and she sees that her pursuers are over- 

 taking her, she turns her ' Joey ' out of her pouch 

 and makes off with increased speed ; but should 

 she succeed in shaking off her enemies, she will 

 ultimately return to search for her young one. 



Under the general term of ' kangaroo ' are 

 included the typical kangaroos, the wallaroo and 

 the wallabies, the latter being the smallest kinds, 

 some of them being no larger than a rabbit. All are 

 vegetarian in diet, their food consisting of grasses — 

 more especially that known as ' kangaroo grass ' — 

 and shoots of shrubs. The wallabies, however, 

 will also eat roots. 



Of a timid and shy disposition, they confine their 

 activities principally to the early morning and 

 evening, resting during the daytime and relying 

 upon their acute senses of sight, smell, and hearing, 

 as well as their speed of foot, to keep them free from 

 danger. As a rule they are of a harmless disposition, 



