Some of the small ones are pretty little long-legged creatures.

Wonderful jumpers too." "And you call them all kangaroos ?" "Some people do, sir." "Kangaroo! Why, that must be a native name." "Haven't you heard about that, sir ?" "Heard what ?" "About their name, sir ?" "No--nothing." "They say that when the first people met the blackfellows they asked them what they called the leaping creatures they saw hopping along so far on two legs, like animal grasshoppers; and the blacks said `Kangaroo.'" "Yes, I thought it would be a native name." Leather smiled.
"No, sir; `kangaroo' is the blackfellows' way of saying `I don't know what you mean.'" "Could you show me where I could shoot one of those Blue Mountain parrots, Leather ?" said Nic, after a pause, during which the boy stood thoughtful and wondering at his companion's change of manner.
"Oh yes, I think so, sir.

There are plenty about." "I haven't seen one for days; when I did I had no gun; and besides, I was not ready to stuff it." "This is not a good time of day to look after them, sir; but I dare say you have passed plenty." "No--not one." Leather smiled faintly.
"They are very quiet, like most birds in the heat of the day, and are sitting up among the leaves, huddled up and with their feathers all loose, so that you don't see the bright underpart, and their backs and sides are all green like the leaves.

It wants practice to see them." "When is the best time, then ?" "Early in the morning, when it is cool and fresh, and they are just off to feed.

You hear them whistling and shrieking to each other then." "But do you think you could show me one now ?" "I'll try if you like, sir," said Leather quietly.