; but so great havoc is made among
these defenceless creatures by their various enemies, especially by man,
that their numbers appear to be upon the decrease.[48]

[47] The wild dog is also an object of chase, and its puppies are
considered great dainties; but they are sometimes saved, in order to
bring them up in a tame state, in which case they are taken by one of
the elder females of the family, and actually reared up by her in all
respects like one of her own children!

[48] It is a saying among the natives, "Where white man sit down,
kangaroo go away."

A day's hunting is often the cause of no small excitement, even in
England, among men who care nothing for the object of their chase, and
are certain of a good dinner at the end of their day's sport; but we may
suppose this to be a matter of more serious interest to the Australian,
who depends upon his skill and patience in hunting for his daily food.
His whole manner and appearance, accordingly, are changed on these
occasions; his eyes brighten up, his motion becomes quick though silent,
and every token of his eagerness and anxiety is discoverable in his
behaviour. Earth, water, trees, sky, are all in turn the subjects of his
keenest search, and his whole soul appears to be engaged in his two
senses of sight and hearing. His wives, and even his children, become
perfectly silent, until, perhaps, a suppressed whistle is given by one
of the women, denoting that she sees a kangaroo near her husband, after
which all is again quiet, and an unpractised stranger might ride within
a few yards of the group, and not perceive a living thing. The devoted
animal, meanwhile, after listening two or three times without being able
to perceive any further cause of alarm, returns to its food or other
occupation in complete security, while the watchful savage poises his
spear, and lifts up his arm ready for throwing it, and then advances
slowly and with stealth towards his prey, no part moving but his legs.
Whenever the kangaroo looks round, its enemy stands still in the same
position he is in when it first raises its head, until the animal, again
assured of safety, gives a skip or two, and goes on feeding: again the
native advances, and the same scene occurs, until the whizzing spear
penetrates the unfortunate creature, upon which the whole wood rings
with sudden shouts; women and children all join in the chase, and, at
last, the kangaroo, weakened from loss of blood a