Page:Babyhood of Wild Beasts.djvu/159

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BABY KANGAROOS
127

ground like a rubber ball sustained by a pair of strong hind legs.

He uses his forepaws dexterously like hands and in time will be able to box like a master of that sport.

The Kangaroo is naturally an adept at the art of boxing, as a sea lion is at juggling. Both animals are clever at these sports even in the wild state.

Have you never seen a boxing Kangaroo in a show? He does his act as scientifically as any performer, and it takes a clever man to put the gloves on and hold his own with a Kangaroo.

At the first sign of danger, the little chap's mother stoops down, opens the pouch, chucks the baby in headfirst and leaps away to safety.

In the security of his snug surroundings, he wriggles around into an upright position and pokes out a cunning little head, set with two brilliant, mischievous eyes. He is entitled to ride in the pocket until another baby comes, or until he gets so big he is too heavy to carry, and then he loses out. There is nothing left then but to hop at his mother's side. He leaves the pouch for