Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/243

Rh themselves in shallow depressions scratched in the soil, sandy patches being preferred. Towards sundown, when the heat of the day is somewhat modified, they commence running about to feed. Every night the Jungle Kangaroo goes to the river to drink; but the time for its visit to water may vary, and is in a remarkable way influenced by the moon at different stages.

When the full moon rises just after sundown, and practically all night throws its bright vertical light over the landscape, the animals at any time, when thirst compels them, make for water. By crescent and decrescent moon, on the contrary, when only the first and last hours of the night are dimly illuminated, sundown is for all Kangaroos the signal to seek water. They must have light; in darkness no Kangaroo dares to approach the river, and that with good reason; because at the drinking-place the hereditary foe of the species, the great Crocodilus porosus, is lying in wait, and, notwithstanding all precautions, its strong jaws close on many a young and inexperienced individual. Many are the victims which during lapse of time in this way have succumbed, and the species has in consequence, in especially exposed places, learnt to take its precautions to anticipate the cunning devices of the Crocodile.

Where long flat sand-banks stretch out into the river, Macropus agilis chooses its drinking place. Here the animals have a free view, and, what is more important, they do not need to drink at the very shore. For a distance of several yards from the water's edge they dig a hole in the water-soaked sand, patiently wait until this is filled, and thus safely quench their thirst. In places where no Crocodiles are found this course of proceeding becomes unnecessary, and is consequently not employed. These facts may be considered as illustrating to what a considerable degree difficult and strongly exposed conditions of life are capable of improving the intelligence of a species.

All night the Kangaroos are feeding in the open forest or in the plains, and shortly after sunrise they return to the jungles. Besides the Crocodile, the Jungle Kangaroo has only one enemy of importance—the aborigine; but, thanks to its cunning and the imperfect hunting methods of the native, the species is nearly everywhere exceedingly plentiful.

Sometimes this species is also found very numerous in dry