A burrow of an Ornithorhynchus, which Mr. Bennett opened, had its
entrance on a steep part of a bank, situated about one foot from the
water’s edge, and concealed among the long grass and other Plants.
“This burrow ran up the bank in a serpentine course, approaching nearer
to the surface of the earth towards its termination, at which part
the nest is situated. No nest had yet been made in the termination of
the burrow, for that appears to be formed about the time of bringing
forth the young, and consists merely of dried grass, weeds, &c.,
strewed over the floor of this part of the habitation.” The expanded
termination measured one foot in length and six inches in breadth, and
the whole length of the burrow was twenty feet. Besides the entrance
before alluded to, it appears there is usually a second opening
into the burrows below the surface of the water, communicating with
the interior, just within the upper aperture. A burrow subsequently
examined by Mr. Bennett terminated at a distance of thirty-five feet
from the entrance; and that gentleman stated that they have been found
fifty feet in length.
From the burrow first opened by Mr. Bennett a living female was
taken, and placed in a cask, with grass, mud, water, &c., and in this
situation it soon became tranquil, and apparently reconciled to its
confinement. On his return home to Sydney, Mr. Bennett determined to
indulge it with a bathe; and with this view, when he arrived in the
vicinity of some ponds, he tied a long cord to its leg. “When placed on
the bank, it soon found its way into the water, and travelled up the
stream, apparently delighting in those places which most abounded in
aquatic weeds. When diving in deep and clear water, its motions were
distinctly seen: it sank speedily to the bottom, swam there for a short
distance, and then rose again to the surface. It appeared, however, to
prefer keeping close to the bank, occasionally thrusting its beak into
the mud, from whence it evidently procured food, as, on raising the
head, after withdrawing the beak, the mandibles were seen in lateral
motion, as is usual when the animal masticates. The motions of the
mandibles were similar to those of a Duck under the same circumstances.
After feeding, it would lie sometimes on the grassy bank, and at others
partly in and partly out of the water, combing and cleaning its coat
with the claws of the hind feet. This process occupied a considerable
time, and greatly improved its sleek and glossy appearance.”
The Water Moles are said to have a peculiarly fishy smell, more
especially when wet, which probably proceeds from an oily secretion.
They are used by the aborigines for food; “but it is no particular
recommendation of them,” Mr. Bennett remarks, “to say they are eaten by
the native Australian, as nothing in the shape of provender comes amiss
to him, whether it be Snakes, Rats, Frogs, Grubs, or the more delicate
Opossum, Bandicoot, and Flying Squirrel.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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