Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/341

1837.] upon or chase it. When the owner does not wish the dog to follow he ties the foreleg to the neck with a band of rushes, and leaves him in a shady place; he frequently carries the dog on his shoulders. They are excellent watch dogs, and will attack strangers; in the wild state they are sometimes killed by the natives, who, eat their flesh, but of the skin no use is made. The mode in which they hunt the kangaroo is in small parties, or singly; they select a time when the rain is pouring heavily, or the wind blowing;hard to prevent the noise of their approach being heard, for the kangaroo is very quick in hearing, and always on the alert. The hunter creeps upon them with the greatest caution, and generally succeeds in approaching them unobserved. If possible they keep the wind in their face, and when one is observed they take off their cloak, and when the animal stoops or turns his hack upon them they hastily advance, keeping a bush between, them for concealment. As they approach their prey, they move very lightly in a stooping posture, and only at the time when the noise of the, wind prevents their footsteps being heard. Should the kangaroo turn, round and observe them, they instantly stop and remain perfectly motionless until he resumes his feeding. In this way they approach within a few yards of their prey, and then, pierce him with their, spears; the instant he falls they sun up and dispatch him with their hammers by blows on the head. The first operation is to extract the two front teeth of the lower jaw, which they use to sharpen spear points; then they seize the tail, and, taking the end in the mouth, bite off the tip, and by pulling, extract the sinews which are inserted in it; these are bound round a stick, and dried for use, either for the purpose of stitching the mantles or tying the barbs on the spears. Another mode of hunting the kangaroo, when huntsmen are numerous, is by surrounding and gradually approaching the game, until they get sufficiently near to spear them.

The emu is speared chiefly in the winter, at which time they lay their eggs; when a nest is found, the hunters conceal themselves behind a bush near it, and endeavour to secure the male bird first; the female they are pretty certain of unless she has been disturbed, when she will forsake the nest. Emus however are not very often procured by the natives, but with them kangaroos are highly esteemed) as articles of food; lizards also afford a favourite repast, and, at some seasons, form a considerable portion of their food; there are three species that ere eaten. The snakes which are eaten by the natives are of several kinds; when the natives kill one they are careful to beat its head to pieces before they take it up; they then examine if it has recently