AUSTRALIAN CLIFF-DWELLERS. 95 



itself amid the grain and is making the best of its way 

 to the part of the field most remote from that where 

 danger threatens ; and having run as far as suits their 

 purpose the whole flock rises in the air and dis- 

 appear in the nearest forest, only to return as soon 

 as the intruder, whose presence drove them away, 

 absents himself. 



'' Perhaps," writes Captain Grey, " it would be 

 impossible to imagine a more exciting spectacle 

 than that of the Australians hunting the cockatoo. 

 They employ for this purpose the very remarkable 

 weapon peculiar to this people, the boomerang, 

 which, as the reader probably knows, is a sickle- 

 shaped flat piece of wood, which can be thrown by 

 the hand a distance of one hundred feet, and flies in 

 small circles with many windings from the direct 

 track. An Australian will follow a flock either into 

 the fields or woods, preferring, however, places where 

 large trees are situated near water, such spots as 

 these being the favorite resorts of cockatoos. Here 

 they are to be found in innumerable hosts, climbing 

 on the branches or flying from tree to tree ; here 

 also they sleep, and here the wily native comes, 

 most watchfully observing all necessary precautions. 

 He goes from one tree to another, and creeps from 

 bush to bush, taking great care not to disturb the 

 wary birds, but in vain ; for, however quiet his move- 

 ments may be, he is soon discovered, and his near 

 approach greeted with a hideous cry ; the birds have 

 already perceived that danger is near, although they 

 do not know wliat the next step may be. 



