<hw>Brusher</hw>, <i>n</i>. a Bushman's name, in certain parts, for a small wallaby which hops about in the bush or scrub with considerable speed. "To give brusher," is a phrase derived from this, and used in many parts, especially of the interior of Australia, and implies that a man has left without paying his debts. In reply to the question "Has so-and-so left the township? "the answer, "Oh yes, he gave them brusher," would be well understood in the above sense.
<hw>Brush-Kangaroo</hw>, <i>n</i>. another name for the <i>Wallaby</i> (q.v.).
1802. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales,' c. viii. p. 273:
"A place . . . thickly inhabited by the small brush-kangaroo."
1830. `Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society,' i. 29:
"These dogs . . . are particularly useful in catching the bandicoots, the small brush kangaroo, and the opossum."
1832. J. Bischoff, `Van Diemen's Land,' c. ii. p. 28:
"The brush-kangaroo . . . frequents the scrubs and rocky hills."
1884. Rolf Boldrewood, `Melbourne Memories,' c. iii. p. 24:
"Violet was so fast that she could catch the brush-kangaroo (the wallaby) within sight."