On looking at one of the Great Kangaroos in some menagerie or zoological garden, the first peculiarities that strike the eye are its small fore limbs, its very large and long hind ones, and the great and thick tail. The smallness of the head, which has rather long ears, and a long dusky brown muzzle, the length of the body, and the comfortable grey-brown, thick, shortish fur, are then noticed. But the principal fact which impresses all these things upon the visitor, is that the female may have a little Kangaroo with its head poked out of a kind of pouch in the under part of the body. Sometimes the little one jumps out and gets in again if it is frightened, and the old one moves, hops, and jumps about, with its portable nursery, with the greatest ease.[83] Sometimes the Kangaroos may be seen feeding, and then the awkwardness of their gait becomes evident; for the small fore legs and curious paws are on or very close to the ground, whilst the back part of the body is raised up by the long hind legs, and, as it were, balanced by the great tail. These hind legs seem to do nearly all the running, or rather jumping, both being used together; and the tail is of use in supporting the long body when the animal suddenly raises itself up straight, and squats on its hind quarters. The small front legs then appear quite stunted, and the ears stick up, and the small head is held straight. But in slow walking, the fore feet are placed on the ground, and the animal rests on them whilst it brings the long hind quarters forward and outside them. Evidently the senses of hearing and sight are very acute; but they are used to warn the animal of danger, rather than to urge it to attack, for it is a feeder on herbs, leaves, and grass, and often may be seen reclining and moving its jaws, as if it were chewing the cud after a fashion. When moving with great velocity, the Kangaroo depends upon the hind limbs alone, bounding along with great ease, over ten, fifteen, or more feet at a jump. Its body is then carried almost horizontally, and the tail is stuck out as if to balance it. [Illustration: SKELETON OF THE GREAT KANGAROO.]