GREAT KANGAROO. 
05 
country, where it browses upon the herbage and low bushes. 
During the heat of the day it shelters itself among the 
bushes, tall glass, or ferns. In its more common position it 
rests on the hind legs and terminal half of the tail, with the 
anterior part of the body bent forwards, and but little ele¬ 
vated, but upon the slightest alarm the body is raised 
perpendicularly, and the animal is thus enabled to command 
a distant view. Tim senses of smell and sight in the Kangaroos 
arc very acute, and as they ore timid animals, they me very 
difficult to approach; they nevertheless not unfrequcntly fall 
a prey to the native dog, and are much hunted by the natives 
(their flesh being well-flavoured), who procure them by 
means of their unerring spears. Sometimes, discovering their 
retreat, the natives form a large circle, and gradually close 
upon them, and by shouting and yelling, Mr. Gould informs 
us, so terrify the animals, that they become confused, and 
arc readily dispatched by means of the bommerengs, clubs, 
and spears. 41 Still, however formidable an enemy the Abori¬ 
gines may have been," says this author, 44 the Great Kangaroo 
finds, at die present time, a far greater one in die white man, 
whose superior knowledge enables him to employ for its 
destruction much more efficient weapons dian diose of the 
more simple son of nature. Independently of the gun, he 
brings to his aid dogs of superior breed, and of so savage a 
nature, that die timid Kangaroo has but little chance when 
opposed to them. These dogs, which run entirely by sight, 
partake of die nature of the greyhound and deerhound, and, 
from their great strength and fleetness, are so well adapted 
for the dudes to which they are trained, that the escape of 
the Kangaroo, when it occurs, is owing to peculiar and 
favourable circumstances; as, for example, the oppressive 
heat of the day, or the nature of the ground; the former 
incapacitating the dogs for a severe chase, and the hard 
VOL. i. f 
