After leaving Blowrin Plain, we saw several kangaroos on the ranges; one was pursued, and after a short chase overtaken and killed by the dogs. It was a female of the common species,[109] (the males of this species are called by the colonists “foresters,” the females “flyers.”) The weight of the animal was seventy-six pounds, but many have been killed in the neighbouring ranges weighing two hundred and twenty pounds: this specimen was conveyed to Been, where I dissected it.
We returned through a picturesque and fertile country, watered by the Tumat river; many of the Grey cockatoos, with red crests, known by the native name of “Gang, gang,” were seen, and a beautiful white hawk was quietly perched upon the lofty dead trunk of a tree. The methods employed by the natives to capture kangaroos, is either driving them into a river and killing them with spears; or on observing one approaching, by remaining perfectly quiet, they are mistaken by the animals for the charred trunk of a tree, and fearlessly advancing, are speared or killed by clubs.[110]
The tendons of the muscles about the tail of the kangaroo, and those of the legs of the emu, are converted into thread by the natives, who manufacture from it a neat net ornament, called “Bollombine.” One of these ornaments, made for me by a native female, of the tendons procured from the kangaroo, was executed in the following manner:—The longest tendons selected from the tail were laid in an extended position to dry in the sun; they were afterwards divided into threads; (when dry they are capable of producing threads of considerable fineness;) the cord intended for this ornament was made by two of these threads being rolled upon the thigh, additions being made until a sufficient length was obtained for the purpose required, usually extending to several yards. The netting process is executed in a manner somewhat similar to our own; the ornament, one inch and a-half in breadth, extends like a fillet around the front part of the head, being tied behind by strings of the same material: it is worn by males and females, and coloured with red ochre or pipe-clay, according to the taste of the wearer; the stock-keepers value the tendons for whip-lashes, and say nothing can surpass them for durability.
The part of the kangaroo most esteemed for eating is the loins; and the tail, which abounds in gelatine, furnishes an excellent and nourishing soup; the hind legs are coarse, and usually fall to the share of the dogs. The natives (if they can be said to have a choice) give a preference to the head. The flesh of the full-grown animal may be compared to lean beef, and that of the young to veal; they are destitute of fat, if we except a little being occasionally seen between the muscles and integuments of the tail. The colonial dish called a steamer, consists of the flesh of this animal dressed, with slices of ham. The liver, when cooked, is crisp and dry, and is considered a substitute for bread; but I cannot coincide in this opinion.
While visiting the “Blowrin Flat,” on hunting and other excursions, I frequently observed marks upon the grass where kangaroos had been herding; at one place the grass was beaten down, and a quantity of their fur strewed about the ground, an indication of their having been recently engaged in active warfare, leaving behind them, like the Kilkenny cats, only some morsels of flue. Although we had many indications of these animals having visited the flat, we rarely saw them, except upon the ranges, particularly those spots where, the grass having been recently burnt, the young herbage was springing up.[111] It is usual for kangaroos to frequent the high land during the summer, seeking the more sheltered situations during winter.
The females are not permitted to eat the flesh of the kangaroo, for if they did (the selfish males observe) “our dogs would die;” nor are the women, it is said, allowed to eat the flesh of the “Bandicoot” (called Kudjun, Mandu, or Gorun, by the natives) until they have borne a child.
The dying kangaroo would afford a subject worthy of the inimitable pencil of Landseer, as it lies prostrate on that ground, where, but a few minutes before, it fed and gambolled, unconscious of danger, moaning piteously under the unmerciful fangs of the hounds: its eyes, dim with tears, seeming to upbraid the hunter for his cruelty. No one can behold the tragic scene without feeling pangs of regret, as the dogs worry the animal until the hunter dismounts, and passing his knife across the creature’s throat, the crimson stream flows, and the fixed glassy eye indicates the termination of life.
One day, while hunting kangaroos over the ranges, we started a female, reposing during the heat of the day under a tree; she was soon seized and destroyed by the dogs. A short distance further on the same range, we came upon a large male kangaroo, which bounding away, we had a fine chase after him over stumps of trees, bushes, loose wood, and rocks, and found these impediments, over a naturally irregular ground, any thing but safe; but the horse I rode was accustomed to such places, and, being sure-footed, he carried me safe over all difficulties in sufficient time to witness the death-struggle. The kangaroo had been arrested in his progress by the hounds, on ascending a steep acclivity. When descending a hill these animals make surprising leaps, and bound with great speed also upon level ground; but when ascending a hill they are soon captured. The dogs had judiciously divided their attack upon the large and now furious animal, two having seized each a hind leg, and firmly kept it down, as if instinctively knowing the danger of its claws; another firmly grasped the throat; the animal in return hugging him between his fore-paws; the fourth made his attacks upon any part where an opportunity offered.
Although the kangaroos have so pretty and innocent a physiognomy, yet when attacked, and defending themselves in the “strife of death,” they display a fierceness of disposition which would not be supposed from their gentle nature. The “old man,” as a full grown male is called by the colonists, is really a formidable opponent when at bay, either for man or dogs; and although the engagement usually terminates against the unfortunate animal, yet the struggle is often violent and protracted before its death is accomplished. The object of our chase stood erect, braving the unequal contest, which he had endeavoured to, but could not, avoid; the victory was strongly disputed, and three of the hounds being young, I doubt whether it would have terminated in their favour, as they began to be exhausted, when the overseer, dismounting, overturned the animal, and keeping its hind legs down with his utmost strength, the dogs attacked the throat, and its existence was soon terminated.