
. 
THE ORNITHORHYNCHUS PARADOXUS. 235 
longer than one or two minutes playing and paddling on the surface, soon diving again 
and reappearing a short distance above or below, generally according to the direction in 
which it dives. It dives head foremost with an audible splash. 
Although the animal may “‘ come up” close to the place where the sportsman is 
standing, it would be useless to attempt to level the gun, for that action alone would 
cause its instantaneous disappearance; but after waiting patiently until the animal 
dives, and watching the direction in which it sinks!, preparation must be made to re- 
ceive it with the discharge of the piece instantly on its reappearance on the surface, 
which (when it descends unfrightened) is almost certain to take place in a short time. 
A near shot is requisite, a distant one being almost hopeless ; and the aim should be in- 
variably directed at the head, in which spot the shots are more likely to take speedy 
effect than in the loose dense integuments of the body, which, as they afford little 
resistance, the shot are unable to penetrate. I have seen the skull shattered by the 
force of the shot when the integuments covering it have scarcely suffered injury. 
Although the following day was very showery, this did not deter us from ranging the 
banks of the river in quest of Ornithorhynchi. The heavy rain in the course of the 
night and morning had swollen the stream considerably, and we saw only one specimen 
during the morning, which proved too vigilant for us, and consequently escaped. In 
our return home, however, along the banks, about 2 p.m., at a narrow part of the river, 
one of these animals was seen paddling about on the surface. We waited until it dived, 
which it did soon afterwards ; and having made our preparation, on its returning to 
the surface of the water, a short distance further down, it received the contents of the 
gun, which took effect ; for although it immediately sank, it soon came up again, evi- 
dently severely wounded. It evaded capture by frequently diving, although in its 
wounded condition it was soon obliged to regain the surface of the water, and was evi- 
dently striving to reach the opposite bank?: it moved tardily, with the greatest part 
of the body above the surface of the water, as is usually observed in these animals 
when they are severely hurt. It received, however, two effective discharges from the 
fowling-piece before it remained tranquil on the water and allowed the dog to bring it 
out. It proved to be a fine male specimen, and was not yet dead, but moved occa- 
sionally, making no noise except frequent deep expirations from the nostrils. 
When the fur of the animal is wet, it has a sordid and far from attractive appear- 
ance, resembling rather a lump of dirty weeds than any production of the animal king- 
dom. Indeed, were it not for their paddling motion on the water, these animals would 
‘ If the water is very clear, the course of the animal beneath its surface after diving can be distinctly seen ; 
but as the places frequented by it usually abound in river-weeds, it seldom occurs that it is noticed ina 
clear part of the river. On diving, they never rise again at the same place; but it is not difficult, with a little 
experience in sporting for these animals, to judge with tolerable accuracy where they may again rise, so as 
to obtain a mark at them. 
* When wounded, they make for the land, either to escape into their burrows, or from being unable to 
support themselves in their weakened condition on the water. 
VOL. I. 21 
