OSPHRANTER RUFUS.
Great Red Kangaroo.
H e a d o f a M a l e , l i f e -s i z e .
I r e g r e t very much to say that the time may not be far distant when an opportunity
of giving a full-sized drawing of the head of this noble animal, taken from life, will not he
possible. The larger and more conspicuous productions of an island are often, as a
natural consequence, the first that become extirpated; and this result takes place more
speedily where no protection is afforded to them. Short-sighted indeed are the Anglo-
Australians, or they would long ere this have made laws for the preservation of their highly
singular, and in many instances noble, indigenous animals; and doubly short-sighted are they
for wishing to introduce into Australia the productions of other climes, whose forms and
nature are not adapted to that country. Let me then urge them to bestir themselves, ere
it be too late, to establish laws for the preservation of the large Kangaroos, the Emeu, and
other conspicuous indigenous animals: without some such protection, the remnant that is
left will soon disappear, to he followed by unavailing regret for the apathy with which
they had been previously regarded. I make no apology, therefore, for publishing a life-sized
head of the Great Red Kangaroo of the plains, a detailed history of which will be found
accompanying the reduced figures.