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ALMOST HUMAN 
down to his heels. Mr. Wilkie arrived just in time to see the finishing 
touch of this avenging stroke, but prevented worse injury than a nasty 
bruise on one hip and a number of superficial scratches. He had to 
chase the angry creature well to the far end of the paddock and make 
sure of his remaining there before he could think of rendering first-aid 
to the injured. He then found it necessary to get the bags the poor 
little plumber had used as a screen, and wrap them about the one who 
had been so unexpectedly undressed, before he could pilot him through 
byways and hedges to the office, where he had to stay until he could be 
made fit once more to appear in polite society. After that was done 
the little plumber had also to be helped from the seat where he had 
been put, and sent to more congenial surroundings. 
Before any further work was done in that paddock a strong wire 
rope was run around a portion of it, and the birds were effectually shut 
off from the workmen, but ever since that day the ostrich has evinced 
a savage objection to dungarees, and he follows any man wearing them 
the full length of his paddock, making, as I said before, frantic efforts 
to get at him and strip him as he did the man who was not frightened 
of a bird. 
KANGAROOS AND WALLABIES 
KANGAROO DRIVES. 
Kangaroos are protected by our game laws all the year round; but 
when it can be shown that they have become so numerous in any district 
as to constitute a menace to pastoralists or farmers the Government 
permits a day’s “drive,” during which the settlers may kill all they can 
reach. Such days are celebrated with a certain amount of ceremony, 
and considerable preparation is made to ensure their success. Ladies 
and gentlemen who are fond of hunting are invited to follow on horse- 
back, and the townspeople are asked to be present at the spot where the 
round-up is to be made. Some time ago there was a great drive at 
the overseer’s run near Mr. Ritchie’s homestead in the Western District, 
between Hamilton and Penshurst. As it was hoped to catch a number 
of kangaroos alive to re-stock the Zoological Gardens, Mr. Le Souef and 
Mr. Wilkie went down there to arrange a “race” where the animals 
should be corralled instead of being shot at sight. This “race” was 
