Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-02-10
The Kangaroo Hunt.

part of the world. Chief among these
is the Kangaroo, which was first dis
covered by Cook in his voyage around
the world (1770). There are many
species of these animals, some of them
as small as rabbit, and others, such
as the great kangaroo, being large
and heavy, often attaining the weight
of 100 pounds.
The great kangaroo is grayish-
brown color, with rather dusty-look-
ing but soft fur.
1t is remarkable for the great length
of its hind legs, and also of the hind
feet which have four toes armed with
large, solid, and curved nails. These
nails are the only weapons of defense
which the kangaroo has, but with them
it can do great execution. The fore
legs and feet are small, the latter be-
ing used with much adroitness in Sc
curing and holding food. The food
of the kangaroo is entirely vegetable.
The tail of this singular animal is
long. very thick at the base, and tap
ering. 1t is Of great use in balancing
the animal in its leaps, and also in
sustaining the body in its ordinary
erect sitting posture, in which it uses
the hind legs and the root of the tail
as a tripod. The head is shaped some
what like that of deer, the eyes are
large and beautiful, and the whole
appearance of the creature is mild and
gentle. Indeed, the kangaroo is a
perfectly harmless and timid animal.
The pouch with which the female is
provided is very seviceable as refuge
and protection for the young. For
some months after birth they remain
in this natural shelter without quitting
it, until, having attained some size
and strength, they poke out their heads
and begin to look about them, fire.
quently nibbing at the grass as the
mother animal stops to feed atlength
they scramble out, and begin life OH
their own account. On the least alarm,
however, they again seek shelter in
the pouch till the danger has passed
away.
1t is said that when the female kan
garoo is pursued and hard pressed, she
will throw out her young ones into
some bush OF thicket, as their weight
greatly impedes her progress and that
if she escapes she returns for her little
ones when the chase is over. This
story, however, should be received
with caution the animal is unlike any
with which we are familiar, that won-
derful tales are apt to be circulated
about it, which may not have much
truth in them. The flesh of the kan
garoo is highly esteemed, and is much
sought after by the colonists, SO that
it is now rare in regions where it was
once abundant.
But kangaroo hunt, not so much
for the flesh as for the sport which it
affords, is still highly popular amuse-
ment to the large class of men who find
delight in witnessing the terror and
agony Of timid creatures pursued by
fierce dogs. Unfortunately for the
poor kangaroo, it runs so long, makes
such extraordinary efforts TO escape,
and al last stands to bay with such
desperation, that men gather from far
and near whenever these pretty crea-
lures are to be hunted.
Let us suppose that party of men
are preparing for a kangaroo hunt.
The first thing they do is to secure
horses capable of following the game
at full speed for perhaps ten or twelve
miles { if it is an open country and
dogs trained to attack when at bay,
yet sagacions enough 60 keep out of
the reach of those formidable hind
feet and claws, one blow from which
could rip them open as completely as
though it were done by razor.
Having seen that both horses and
dogs are of the right kind, some Of the
men then drive the game out of the
bush to the open plain. When this is
done, and when perhaps more than
one kangaroo is turned out, the choice
is made, if possible, Of full grown
male animal or "boomcr," rs he is
called. This selection IL made on
account Of his superior strength, and
the greater excitement which may he
| eApeCteu Nntu ht ~ idsb IuiuS VI
bay. Ii the hunters cannot dislodge
a "hoomcr" from the bush they must,
of course, take what they can get, but
the chase of a female Kangaroo is not
nearly so exciting as, bampered by
her little ones, she is sooner worn out.
and she seldom turns to bay, but
quietly submits to her fate. But let
us suppose that fine large boomer
has been dislodged from the shelter of
the brushwoods. Away then they go,
the men yelling, the dog. barking,
the Kangaroo far in advance, bound
ing along in the most extraordinary