Page:Extracts from the letters and journals of George Fletcher Moore.djvu/214

 188 pressed, and I was obliged to make some selection, or lose my opportunity.

Land now is not to be given or exchanged by Government; it must be purchased, at not less than five shillings an acre—a sad loss to us. It is very difficult to save meat here in spring and autumn, much more so than in the heat of summer; the "blow-flies" are not so busy then, or perhaps they are encouraged by the moisture generated at the other seasons. When we have any considerable quantity of fresh meat (which is not often the case) we put it in pickle. Winter meat keeps very well. "Game?"—We have ducks—the wild turkey bird of the bustard kind—and quails; and the gallinule, or water-hen; and there may be many other game birds unknown to us, as they have so many places of concealment.

The cockatoos are gregarious and migratory: at some periods of the year few are to be seen; at other times, they are seen in large and frequent flocks—I have heard of fifty kangaroos together; and have seen fifteen in company. We have rats and mice too; the largest of the former I have met here was about the size of a "cub" rat with you, but not so rough in the hair; in every other respect apparently the same; where they came from I leave others to determine or dispute about. Wild dogs are the next "game" you start in your letter.—They are not numerous, and are seldom seen in daylight. Since my flock has