104 Kershaw, Breeding Habits and Young of Platypus, [vor'xxix 



about its centre. All those examined were of about the same 

 dimensions, the two carefully measured being each twelve 

 inches deep, thirteen inches wide, and eleven inches from the 

 entrance. 



The nest itself is composed of fine grass and gum-leaves, and 

 completely fills the cavity. The bottom of the chamber is first 

 covered with a thin layer of grass, followed by a thick layer 

 of gum-leaves about four inches deep, which is continued up 

 the sides, and — at least in one case — completely encircles the 

 cavity, forming a compact circular nest, with the entrance in 

 the side opposite the tunnel. It was noticeable that many of 

 the leaves were green, and appeared to be quite fresh. The 

 bottom of the chamber in every instance was wet, owing to 

 surface soakage, and it is apparently with the object of avoiding 

 this that the bottom of the chamber is excavated below the 

 level of the burrow and so thickly lined with leaves. 



The first burrow examined had been opened up by Mr. Hood 

 on the 17th October (nine days prior to my visit), and from 

 the nest two fresh eggs were taken. These, when found, were 

 attached to one another, and had been kept in a small box ; 

 but in two or three days they collapsed. When I received them 

 on the 26th October they were flattened and dry. Several 

 other burrows close by, though having the appearance of recent 

 occupation, were untenanted, but each contained a nest, more 

 or less complete. From one of these the shrivelled remains 

 of two eggs were obtained. 



Later in the day a burrow was discovered which had every 

 appearance of being occupied. It was situated on the sloping 

 side of the bank, fully twenty live feet from the water, and was 

 the only one I saw with recently scratched earth at the entrance. 

 The burrow followed up the slope of the bank for about twenty- 

 live feet, terminating in a nest-chamber, some ten or twelve 

 feet above the level of the river. This one was blocked up in 

 three sejmrate ])laces. the last within three feet of the nest. 

 When about a foot from the nest a peculiar grating growl was 

 heard, and the next shovelful of earth exposed the side of the 

 very compact structure, through which the old one hurriedly 

 forced her way. She was permitted to traverse the excavation 

 for a couple of feet to a de])ression, where she was covered 

 with clods of earth, while a careful examination of the nest 

 was made. This proved to be the most complete of all those 

 examined, the whole cavity being completely filled with leaves. 

 No opening into the interior of the nest could be seen, the 

 entrance being evidently closed by the animal during occupa- 

 tion. As was the case in all those examined, it was comjwsed 

 of gum-leaves, with a small layer of grass at the bottom of the 

 chamber. The lower jjortion was tightly comi)ressed from the 



