324 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



is heard. From three to half-past three the hedge-sparrow. Then, 

 from half-past three to four o'clock, we have the blackbird, the mock- 

 ing bird of our climates, which imitates all tunes so well, that M. 

 Dureau de La Malle made all the blackbirds of a French canton 

 sing the Marseillaise hymn, by letting loose a blackbird which had 

 been taught that tune. From four to half-past four o'clock the lark 

 pours forth its melodies ; from half-past four to five o'clock the black- 

 headed titmouse is heard. Lastly, from five to half-past five o'clock, 

 the sparrow, the gamin of the skies, awakes and begins to chirp. 



THE ORNITHORHYNCHUS OF AUSTRALIA. 



Perhaps the greatest curiosity to be found in the rivers of Austra- 

 lia is the Ornithorhynchus paradoxus, or Water Mole, which is de- 

 scribed by Dr. Bennett as forming a connecting link between the 

 quadruped, the bird, and the reptile. When first a preserved skin 

 of the animal was sent to England, it was looked upon as a clever 

 fraud, but the proof of its genuineness soon became too strong to be 

 resisted. Dr. Bennett, an English physician, who enjoys the honor 

 of being the first naturalist who explored the burrow of this singular 

 animal and captured specimens alive, has recently published a very 

 graphic and interesting account of his experience in the attempt to 

 rear and domesticate them. He says: "I arrived with my little 

 family of Ornithorhynchi safe at Sydney, and as they survived for 

 some time, an opportunity was afforded me of observing their habits. 

 The little animals appeared often to dream of swimming, for I have 

 frequently seen their fore paws in movement as if in the act. If I 

 placed them on the ground during the day, they ran about, seeking 

 some dark corner for repose ; and when put in a dark place, or in a 

 box, they huddled themselves up as soon as they became a little rec- 

 onciled to the locality, and went to sleep. I found that they would 

 sleep on a table, sofa, or indeed anywhere ; but, if permitted, would 

 always resort to that spot in which they had previously been accus- 

 tomed to repose. Although for days together they would sleep in the 

 bed made up for them, yet on a sudden, from some unaccountable 

 caprice, they would shift their resting-place, and seek repose behind 

 a box, or in some dark retirement, in preference to their former habi- 

 tation. They usually reposed side by side, looking like a pair of furred 

 balls, and surly little growls issued from them when disturbed ; never- 

 theless, when very sound asleep, they might be handled and examined 

 without evincing any signs of annoyance. One evening both the 

 little pets came out about dusk, went as usual and ate food from the 

 saucer, and then commenced playing, like two puppies, attacking 

 each other with their mandibles, raising their fore paws, and tumbling 

 one over the other. In the struggle one would get thrust down ; and 

 at the moment when the spectator would expect it to rise again and 

 renew the combat, it would commence scratching itself, its antagonist 

 looking on and waiting for the sport to be renewed. When running, 

 they were exceedingly animated, their little eyes glistened, and the 

 orifices of their ears contracted and dilated with rapidity ; if taken 

 into the hands at this time for examination, they struggled violently 

 to escape, and their loose integuments rendered it difficult to retain 



