have fled from the first approach of their enemy man, advancing
singly, they would allow him to draw near when mounted, and even to
dismount, fire from behind a horse, and load again, without attempting
to run off. In hunting the emu, it matters not how much noise is made,
for the natives say that bird is quite deaf, although its sight is keen
in proportion. The kangaroo must be pursued as silently as possible.

Emus are killed in the same manner as kangaroos, but they are more
prized by the natives, and the death of one of these birds awakens a
greater excitement in the spectators; shout succeeds shout, and the
distant sojourners take up the cry, until it is sometimes reechoed for
miles; yet the feast which follows is very exclusive, the flesh of the
emu, which, except in one part which tastes like beef, is very oily,
being thought by far too delicious to be made a common article of food.
Young men and unprivileged persons are forbidden to touch it, on pain of
severe penalties, which are strictly enforced. The emus are generally
found, like the kangaroos, in tolerably fertile spots, and like them,
also, are fast disappearing from the neighbourhood of the haunts of
Europeans. The destruction of cockatoos with the weapon, or throwing
stick, called a _kiley_,[53] the hunting and snaring of different sorts
of wild fowl, afford ample room for a display of that cunning, skill,
and amazing patience, which distinguish the character of uncivilized
man. One curious way of catching birds in Australia is certainly
original, if it be but correctly reported. It is said that a native
will, in the heat of the sun, lay down as if asleep, holding a bit of
fish in his hand; the bird seeing the bait, seizes on the fish, and the
native then catches it! But enough has now been stated respecting the
various ways in which game is taken in the bush. And although, perhaps,
enough has been said concerning Australian cookery, yet the mode in
which they cook the birds in that country, similar indeed to the methods
already mentioned, may briefly be noted. When the natives wish to dress
a bird very nicely, the entrails are taken out and cooked separately,
(being considered a great delicacy,) after the example of the admirers
of woodcocks in England. A triangle is then formed round the bird by
three red hot pieces of stick, against which ashes are placed, hot coals
are also stuffed into the inside of the bird, and it is thus quickly
cooked, and kept f