The Hawaiian gazette., 1874-09-30
The Kangaroo.

In referring TO the animals OF various countries,
which attract the attention of the hunter, the Daily
Ners on the 2Sth May thus refers TO the kangaroo
Different parts of the world have their especial
attractions to the tourist and sportsman. The buff
falo of the North American paries the wild boar of
Germsn or Russian forests the tiger or the lion of
Indian or African jungles, offer those dangers to be
overcome, and hardships to be endured, which 10
adventurous spirits form the chief attraction of the
chase, and which entirely lacking to sportsman
ship in England. The kangaroo, again-one of the
few quadrupeds indigenous to Australia-is quarry
that no sportsman need be ashamed of pursuing
and chase after good boomer as the gamest OF
these animals called is most exhilaraiug affair
They possessed of enormous strength, combined
with astonishing rapidty of movement, and when
pursued will bound over the ground, taking long
leaps of twelve to twenty feet they spring from
their long and powerful hind legs Very strong and
courageous dogs are required for the kangaroo
chase; and over open country the kangaroo will
show excellent sport, with the additional attraction
that those engaged in the hunt are CERTAIN unless
he actually outstrlp them in speed and get clear
away of not losing the object OF their pursuit No
casual drain or bit Of cover will hold the kangaroo
but it is fair chase in full view all the time If
hard pressed the animal will stand at bay, with Its
back against bank, rock, or the trunk of tree
and show fight sufficient to delight the heart of the
most daring bar hunter of the Rocky Mountains
Standing erect its long hind legs, it will seize
either dog or man that will come within reach of its
shorter fOrearms and hold them tightly to itself as
bear will hug it's enemy till it can bring its hind
legs into play. These are armed with long, sharp,
cutting claw, with which it will rip up its adversary
and inhiet the most dangerous wounds Once
secured, the kangaroo is a valuable prize; its flesh
is good eating, aud 'kangarootail soup beats any
'ox-tail in the worlds SO that in this respect il is
superior to the fox, whose brush is SO much
sought after by English sportsmeu, aud the skin of
the kangaroo makes excellent leather, far tougher
and stronger than oxhide, and supple soft as
kid Boots made of this leather are commonly
used in the cities of Australia and are more durable
than ordinary leather. The introduction, then, of
this animal into England suggests itself very
desirable event. aud the question arises as to its
habits whether it would thrive here and whetherit
would prove destructive if bred in gentlemeu's
parks The first question has received ample an
swer in the condition of the kaDgaroos kept in
confinement in the Geological Gardens, where they
breed freely and enjoy excellent health. Several
gentlemen, too, have introduced them on their
estates with considerable success. Indeed, apad-
dock full OF kangaroos on the estate of a nobeman
in oxfordshire was recently entered BY 4 pack of
hounds which had lost their scent OF their proper
quarry, the fox, and the singular occurred of
a kangaroo hunt taking the place OF fox hunt 1t
was with difficulty that the hounds beaten of,
and both dogs and kangaroos suffered in the fray.
The only condition of our climate which this mar
supia fears is damp it will bear great extremes of