ZOOLOGY. 325 



them. Their eyes being placed so high on the head, they do not see 

 objects well in a straight line, and consequently run against every- 

 thing in the room during their perambulations, spreading confusion 

 among all the light and easily overturnable articles. I have occasion- 

 ally seen them elevate the head, as if to regard objects above or around 

 them. Sometimes I have been able to enter into play -with them by 

 scratching and tickling them with my finger : they seemed to be de- 

 lighted, opening their mandibles, biting playfully at my finger, and 

 moving about like puppies indulged with similar treatment. Besides 

 combing their fur to clean it when wet, I have seen them preen it 

 with their beak (if the term may be allowed) as a duck would ^ clean 

 its feathers. It is, indeed, interesting to watch them engaged in the 

 operations of the toilet, by which their coats acquire an increased 

 bright and glossy appearance. When I placed them in a pan of 

 deep water, they were eager to get out after being there only a short 

 time ; but when the water was shallow, with a turf of grass placed in 

 one corner, they enjoyed it exceedingly. They would sport together, 

 attacking one another with their mandibles, and rolling over in the 

 water in the midst of their gambols ; and afterwards, when tired, get 

 on to the turf, where they would lie combing themselves, until the 

 fur was quite smooth and shining. It was most ludicrous to observe 

 these uncouth-looking little creatures, running about, overturning 

 and seizing one another with their mandibles, and then, in the midst 

 of their fun and frolic, coolly inclining to one side and scratching 

 themselves in the gentlest manner imaginable. After the cleaning 

 operation was concluded, they would perambulate the room for a 

 short time, and then seek repose. They seldom remained longer than 

 ten or fifteen minutes in the water at a time. As they were not 

 confined during the night, I sometimes heard them growling ; they 

 seemed as if they were fighting or playing, and as if the saucer con- 

 taining their food had been upset in the scuffle ; but, on the following 

 morning, they were quietly rolled up, fast asleep, side by side, in the 

 temporary nest I had formed for them. . .... 



" It was very ludicrous to see the uncouth little creatures open their 

 mandible-like lips and yawn, stretching out the fore paws and extend- 

 ing the webs of the fore feet to their utmost expansion. Although 

 this was natural, yet, not being in the habit of seeing a duck yawn, 

 it had the semblance of being perfectly ridiculous. It often surprised 

 me how they contrived to reach the summit of a bookcase, or any 

 other elevated piece of furniture. This was at last discovered to be 

 effected by the animal supporting its back against the wall, placing 

 its feet against the bookcase, and thus, by means of the strong cuta- 

 neous muscles of the back and the claws of the feet, contriving to 

 reach the top very expeditiously. They often performed this mode 

 of climbing, so that I had frequent opportunities of witnessing the 

 manner in which it was done. The food I gave them was bread 

 soaked in water, chopped egg, and meat minced very small. Al- 

 though at first I presented them with milk, they did not seem to pre- 

 fer it to water." 



In spite of all possible care, none of the specimens of the Ornithor- 

 hynchus lived in captivity for a greater length of time than five 



weeks. 



28 



