The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-09-18

I'll. oreat kaugaroo inhabits New South
Wales Southern and Western Australia, aud
Van Diemen's Land, and is known to the colon
lists by the names "Boomer" and 81 orester'
In the older works it is said to be called xanga-
roo by the natives; and Mr.. Gould informs us II
is the "Buddaary" Of the aborigines OF the Liv,
erpool range Ii prefers low grassy hills, and
plains and open parts of the country, where it
browses upon the heritage and low bushes. Du-
ring the heat Of the day it shelters itself among
the bushes, tall grass, or ferns. In its more
common position il rests on the hind legs anu
terminal half Of the tail, with the anterior part
Of the body bent forwards, and but little eleva-
ted; but, upon the slightest alarm, the body is
raised perpe ndic uarly, and the animal is thus
enabled 10 command distant view The SEN
SEES of smell and sight in the kangaroos are very
acute, and, as they are timid animals; they are
very difficult TO approach. They, nevertheless,
not unfrequently fall u prey to the native dog,
and are much hunted by the natives, their fe.h
being well Aavoured,) who procure them by
means Of their unerring spears Sometimes,
discovering their retreat the natives form large
circle, and gradually close upon them, and by
shouting and yelling, MIR. Gould informs US, so
terrifv the animals that they become confused,
and are readily despatched by means Of the
bommerengs clubs, and spears. 'Stin, however
formidable an enemy the aborigines may have
BEEN" says this author, ''the great kangaroo
| finds, at the present time, far greater one IN
| the white man, whose superior knowledge ena'
bles him to employ for its destruction much
more efficient weapons than those Of the more
simple son Of nature. Independently Of the
gun, he brings to his aid dogs Of superior
| breed, and OF so savage nature that the timid
| kangaroo has but little chance when opposed to
them. These dogs, which run entirely by sight
partnke of the nature of the greyhound ane
deerhound, and from their great strength ano
| heetness well adapted for the duties te
| which they are trained, that the escape OF the
kangaroo, when il occurs, is owing TO peculiar
| and favourable circ umstances; as, for example
the oppressive heat Of the day, or the nature Of
the ground; the former incapacitating the dog
for a severe chase. and the hard ridges, which
| the kangaroo invariably endeavours to gain
| giving him a great advantage over his pursuers
| On such grounds the females in particular will
| frequently outsIrip the heetsst greyhound
while, on the contrary, heavy old males on soft
grou nd are easily overtaken. Many of these
fine ksngaroo-dOgs are kept at the stock station
Of the interior, for the sole purpose Of running
| the kangaroo and emu, the latter being killeo
solely for the supply Of oil which it yields, and
the former for mere support, or for food for the
dogs. Although have killed the largest males
with a single dog, il is not generally advisable
to attempt this, as they possess great power, anc
frequently rip up the dogs. and sometimes even
cut them to the heart with a single stroke Of the
hind leg. Three or four dogs more gener
ally laid on, one Of superior fieetness to pull
the kangaroo. while the Others rush in upon an'
KILT 1t sometimes adopts singular mode o
defending itself, by clasping its short. powerful
fore-limbs around its antagonist, leaping ava!
with it TO the nearest water-hole. and there keep
ing il beneath the water until drowned. Will
| fha oil u-ii do he he,
have an opportunity; and it is said they will ais
attempt TO do the same with In Vsn Die
mems Land the MacroPns giganfsus also form
an object Of chase, and like the deer and fox il
England, is hunted with hounds. '-Watel
houses Natural History Of the Mammaiia.