Like most of the other objects of natural history found in Australia and the neighbouring islands, the Water Mole is very singular in its construction, nature, and habits. It is of all animals that suckle their young the most like a bird, and it really deserves the title, from its external appearance of half beast, half bird. As its shape and method of life are peculiar, it has received several names, such as the Water Mole, the Flat-footed, Duck-billed Platypus, the Bird-beaked quadruped, and the Paradoxical Bird-beaked animal. It is very fond of the water and also of burrowing in the ground, and, of course, is admirably adapted for these pursuits: hence its construction relates to them to a certain extent, and also to that of the animals of which it was, as it were, a continuation in the scheme of nature. The Ornithorhynchus anatinus has a rather flat body of about eighteen inches in length, and the head and snout greatly resemble those of a Duck, whilst the tail is short, broad, and flat, and resembles that of a small Beaver, but is shorter. The feet are webbed and flat, and the greater part of the creature is covered with a short dense fur of a dusky brown colour, darker on the upper and paler on the under parts of the body. A slight examination of the habits of the animal will explain the necessity for observing it a little more closely. Mr. Bennett describes his first interview with one shortly after his arrival in Australia. He writes: “We soon came to a tranquil part of the river, such as the colonists call a ‘pond,’ on the surface of which numerous aquatic plants grew. It is in places of this description that the Water Moles are most commonly seen, seeking their food among the aquatic plants, whilst the steep and shaded banks afford them excellent situations for excavating their burrows. We remained stationary on the banks, waiting their appearance with some degree of impatience, and it was not long before my companion quietly directed my attention to one of these animals, paddling on the surface of the water, not far distant from the bank on which we were then standing. In such circumstances they may be readily recognised by their dark bodies, just seen level with the surface, above which the head is slightly raised, and by the circles made in the water round them by their paddling action. On seeing them, the spectator must remain perfectly stationary, as the slightest noise or movement of his body would cause their instant disappearance, so acute are they in sight or hearing, or perhaps both; and they seldom appear when they have been frightened.” On ordinary occasions they do not remain more than a minute or two at a time on the surface of the water.