The state herald., 1912-08-02

that when party of explorers un-
der Flinders first landed on Kan
garoo island, about 10 miles from
Adelaide. they found great numbers
of kangaroos which, never having
seen man before, were so tame and
unsophisticated that they simply
stood about and waited to be knocked
on the head, with the result that In
a few hours 81 were killed. the small
est of which weighed 50 pounds. A
continuance of these primitive con-
ditions would be highly appreciated
by the black fellow" who. naturally.
looks upon the kangaroo simply as
an animated bundle of meals. The
mere slaughter OF animals for food,
however. does not constitute sport.
and your white settler OF sporting
proclivities is better pleased with
present-day conditions-that is to say,
in most districts OF the common
wealth, where the kangaroo is Just
scarce enough and wild enough to
provide the necessary excitement and
uncertainty OF the chase.
Every up-country station keeps
couple Of speedy hounds. very like
greyhounds in build, but bigger and
heavier. They are the regular kan
garoo dogs. though used as stock
dogs also. The modus operandl OF
kangaroo-hunting with dogs resembles
coursing in some respects. The
sportsman. mounted on nag of met
tie, rides into the open plain. the dogs
trottlng at his horses heels. Pres
emily. above the tall kangaroo grass
or among the sandal.wood bushes he
sees the heads OF kangaroo bobblng
about, perhaps a mob" of four or
Eve A sharp word to the dogs and
they dart forward silently. But the
quick ears and scent OF the kangaroo
warn them Of approaching danger.
and they scatter In all directions. If
they get a good start and one hap
pens to lag behind the others, the
two dogs may take after the one. In
which case the run is likely to be
short; but, as rule each dog selects
a particular victim and runs II to n
standstill.
Not a Coward.
When n full-grown male kangaroo
Is rushed by dog he will often n.ESe
a bolt for II. as would a frightened
doe; not because he is . coward. but
simply 10 avoid trouble. and as he
bounds away he might be saying:
don't want to fight.
But by lingo n do
I've Got the arms. I've got the hands.
I've got the courage too.
No self-respecting kangaroo. however.
will allow himself to be pulled down
while on the run: consequently, as
soon as IL becomes evident that. in
spite OF his huge leaps. the dog is
overhauling him. or II he is headed
on by another dog, he comes to
halt and prepares TO fight for his life
like tho gallant "old man" that he is.
As a matter OF choice the fighting
kangaroo. when he Is "balled up"
likes to get his back against a tree.
but when overtaken In the open he
lust makes the best OF bad Job.
At nrst sight one would think that
even the biggest and strongest "old
man" kangaroo had not the ghost OF
chance when Il came 20 tusale
with a powerful animal such aa the
regular kangaroo dog; and. Rs mat.
ter OF fact. when the said dog IN an
old hand at the business and up 10 all
the tricks OF the marsupial. tho fnal
result IA a foreeone conclusion. The
kangaroo stands up 10 fight with his
forearmH held forward. and his fyo.
fingered hands spread out ready TO
clutch. much In tho same way as does
wrestler. The inexperienced dog,
guided only by his natural instlnets,
circles round tho kangaroo and. whom
he thinks no sees an opening, fics
straight, NJ his throat. But the willy
quarry by a sldlful movement wards
of tho threatening fanga and. at the
same time. imprisona tho dog In u
vice like grip with his forearmA. thon.
bringing up one Of his hind fcot-tho
middle toe OF which n armed with
formidable toenail. strong and sharp
like pruning.knifo-he nlita tho un.
fortunate dog open and tho fight Ia
ended.
The weli.trained and experienced
kangaroo dog. however. we'll knows
,s,o, peril Of tho kangaroo'a embrace
and. watching his opportunity. makes
a sudden spring. seiAlng ono OF tho
'old mans forcarms In his powerful
Jaws. with n cruel wrrnch he broakn
tho bone. and not until he has dis
nbled tho remaining arm does hc at.
,smpt TO pull down his victim by tho
throat. With both forcarms disabled.
the unhappy kangaroo, no longer
able 20 protect his mos, vulnerable
spot, 10 speedily pulled down. and his
frantic endeavors 10 bring his cutting.
too into play are unhyailing. and
whether there be one or two dogs,