KANGAROOS.
In the continent of Australia where there are so many queer plants and animals, lives the numerous, and droll-looking family of the kangaroos.
There are several varieties of this family, but all have the same general characteristics; a very large tail, very long hind legs, and very short fore legs.
Kangaroos can out-jump the very best jumpers you ever saw, or heard of. They use their long hind legs something in the grasshopper style; and their tails are not only big, but strong, and are of great assistance to them in their leaps.
Their flesh is good to eat, and so they are hunted a great deal. Instead of running from their pursuers like the swift-footed hares and antelopes, they jump away from them, and in this manner they get over a great extent of country in a very short time. Running would be impossible to creatures with such ridiculously short front legs; but leaping answers the same purpose; and, as this is their natural mode of progression, they do not get tired any sooner than other animals do by running.
The kangaroos are by no means ugly animals; and, though they look awkward when standing on all fours (which they seldom do) they are very graceful while making their leaps.
One of the prettiest species of the kangaroo family is called the antelope kangaroo. Its head and ears are similar to those of the antelope in appearance.
THE ANTELOPE KANGAROO.
THE ANTELOPE KANGAROO.
THE ANTELOPE KANGAROO.
Kangaroos are common enough in menageries, and the next time you visit such a place look for one. It seems a pity to shut them up in cages, where they have no room to take even the smallest jump.But, then, if they were not caged there is no knowing where they would jump to. Some of the old kangaroos are rough customers when brought to bay. A big fellow will sometimes seize a dog in his short fore legs and with one of his great hind feet give him a scrape that will make him wish he had never seen a kangaroo.
Just as you have seen a quiet peaceable boy when he had been worried and annoyed by a teasing and quarrelsome fellow, suddenly blaze up and astonish the young rascal by giving him a good thrashing.