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Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 11 September 1926, Page 11

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Although there are comparatively few stock to be seen in an ordinary .journey over the back country in NewSouth Wales (says the Sydney Morning Herald), there is plenty of other animal and- bird life. First, there are the kangaroos. On stock routes that are much frequented they are rarely seen. But if one. strikes across paddocks they are fairly numerous. The Governor, Sir Dudley fie Chair, saw many of them on a recent tour, sometimes a pair, sometimes in fours, sometimes in greater number. Mostly they go hopping off as fast'as their legs eftn carry them.' "One large kangaroo and its mate, however, sat a hundred yards or so away from the cars, and appeared to be bewitched. The kangaroos love the open country, the great plains, and the undulating paddocks. For these give them protection from their natural enemies. It. is curious to think that the kangaroo, the largest wild animal of the bush, should have any enemy. But it is so. The eagle hawk is the sole trouble. If rabbits and young lambs are scarce, as, of course, they are iu times of drought, the eagle hawk will' on rare occasions attack young kangaroos. He goes at his prey again and again until it becomes exhausted. Then his- beak finishes the task. The kangaroos, especially the small ones, look so graceful bounding away over the-paddocks, that one almost wants to go up and stroke them. It would not bo advisable, for the kangaroo has very powerful hind logs. One stroke from a large kangaroo will rip a man open. Mostly, however, they are timid animals, and will fight only when cornered. Bushmen declare that the best, way to deal with, them, failing a rifle shot, is to hand them a small piece of wood, which thoy will immediately clutch, and then knock them on the head with a good stout stick.

There nrc plenty of emus, to be seen

ANIMAL AND BIRD LIFE

PICTURESQUE NEW SOUTH WALES.

too. As soon ns a ear approaches they run across the paddocks at wonderful speed. It has been said that they can reach 30 miles an hour, but- that is probably an exaggeration. Back country “sports” often,chase them in cars. The birds will keep up for a remarkable distance, until they fall exhausted, with their beaks open. The emu has very slender legs, but they are verv powerful. A kick from one is like a. kick from a horse. Sir Dudley de Chair saw one emu with its young birds, six of them, making across a paddock at terrific speed. ' “In the far north-west of the western division is the home of the blue-eyed corella, Australia’s greatest talking bird. The Governor saw an enormous flight of them one morning while motoring round Mount Poole. Mr Bang well recently took six young ones dwoti to Sydney, spoon-feeding them on the .•journey. They are now learning 11 talk in the homes of his friends.. There is much talk in the cities of the wild dog. or the dingo, the name bv which he is better known. People who live in the inside sometimes quite sincerely believe that vast packs of these dogs roam the paddocks of the back t-ountry, and that it is ncccssary to be armed as a protection against their ferocity. The wild dog to-day is largely a myth. It is true that some years ago the dingo was a serioust?pest in the far west. He came in from Queensland and South Australia, and played havoc with the young lambs. Then the Western Bands Board took a hand in the matter. Between the borders of Xo.w South Wales and Queensland, and also between Now South Wales and South Australia, there are dog-proof fences. These were originally constructed many years ago to keep out rabbits. Tn more recent times the wires wore placed higher, and now the fences arc a barrier against the dingo, too.