THE EGG-LAYING MAMMALS 



29 



bill like that of a duck to aid it in capturing worms and 

 various insects which serve as food. 



The nest is a long tunnel in a bank (Fig. 20), calling 

 to mind that of the swallows, though the burrow of the 

 duck mole is 

 entered from 

 the water as 

 well as above 

 it. It rises un- 

 til it is some- 

 times forty 

 feet from the 

 water, and 

 then is en- 

 larged, form- 

 ing a commo- 

 dious room 

 lined with 

 soft grasses. 

 The hunter 

 watching this 

 quaint lit- 

 tle creature ^.^^ 20. — nest of the duck mole. 

 swimming or 



coming to the surface might well mistake it for a duck, 

 and even when compared with some of these animals it 

 shows a remarkable resemblance. If it becomes suspi- 

 cious when on the shore, it will rise upon its hind legs, 

 presenting a singular appearance. It is very rarely seen 

 in the broad daylight, and so well is this understood that 

 natives rarely hunt for the animal in the daytime. The 



