It is surprising with what facility the natives ascend, in pursuit of game, trees of large circumference, without a branch to aid them except near the summit, merely by making small notches with their tomahawks upon the trunk, in which the feet are placed. I even saw a female ascend a lofty tree for the purpose of taking a nest of the “Juliong,” or Rose Hill parrot, from the hollow branch or “spout” of the tree: she brought down in safety five full-fledged young ones. The natives eat them, as they do all living things. The eggs of this species of parrot are of a light bluish colour, with small, pale, brown spots. The young of all the parrot tribe were now abundant. One evening a sound met my ears, resembling the harmonious voices of swine at a distance; but it appeared the noise proceeded from a batch of young “Wagaras,” or cockatoos, in an adjoining tree, which were either disturbed by flying squirrels and opossums,[117] or, as a black “feller” observed, “’pose got no supper, _merry hungry_.” The Emu, or New Holland cassowary, (_Casuarius Novæ Hollandiæ_, Lath.) were abundant about this part of the colony, more particularly at a place not far distant, called “Naganbilly.” It is, however, to be regretted, that the birds are becoming rarer as settlements advance, as they could be readily domesticated. The same remark applies also to the kangaroo and other animals, against whom a war of extermination seems to have been declared. The emu is principally valued for its oil. The natives in this part of the colony call them “Gorin,” and “Berebine.” The skin of a full-grown bird produces six or seven quarts of oil, clear, and of a beautiful bright yellow colour: the method of extracting or “trying” the oil, is to pluck the feathers, cut the skin into pieces, and boil it; but the aborigines prefer the flesh with the skin upon it, regarding it, as the Esquimaux do the flesh of whales and seals, as a highly luscious treat. The oil is excellent for burning; it produces no disagreeable smell: it is also considered a good liniment for sprains or bruises in horses and cattle, either alone, or when stronger stimulating properties are required, mixed with turpentine.