THE ORNITHORHYNCHUS PARADOXUS. 255 
The young animals sleep in various postures; sometimes in an extended position, 
and often rolled up like a hedgehog in the form of a ball. They formed an interesting 
group, lying in varied attitudes in the box in which I had placed them, and seeming 
happy and content. Thus, for instance, one lies curled up like a dog, keeping its beak 
warm with the flattened tail, which is brought over it ; while the other lies stretched on 
its back, the head resting by way of a pillow upon the body of the old one, which lies on 
its side, with the back resting against the box; the delicate beak and smooth clean fur of 
the young contrasting with the rougher and dirtier appearance of the older one, all fast 
asleep. At another time they might be seen, a curious-looking group, one lying on 
its back with outstretched paws, another on its side, and the third coiled or rolled up 
in the form of a ball. They shift themselves from one position to another, as they may 
feel fatigued by lying long in the first ; but the favourite posture of the young animals 
appears to be lying rolled up like a ball. This is effected by the fore paws being placed 
under the beak, with the head and mandibles bent down towards the tail, the hind paws 
crossed over the mandibles, and the tail turned up; thus completing the rotundity of 
the figure. One of the figures in the plate displays the appearance of the animal in this 
posture, when the tail is pulled down, which can be done without disturbing it ; and it 
may be closed again like the lid of a snuff-box!. 
Although furnished with a good thick coat of fur, they still seemed particular about 
being kept warm and comfortable. They would allow me to smooth their fur; but if 
the mandibles were touched they darted away immediately, those parts appearing to be 
remarkably sensitive. I could permit the young to run about the room as they pleased; 
but the old specimen was so restless, and damaged the walls of the room so much by 
attempts at burrowing, that I was obliged to keep her close prisoner in the box, where 
during the day she would remain quiet, huddled up with the young ones, but at night 
would become very restless, and eager to escape from her place of confinement. A 
general growl would issue forth from the group if disturbed when asleep. 
There are a number of persons, both born in Australia and long resident there, who 
have been in the habit of shooting the Water-Moles, but who had no idea that they inha- 
bited burrows in the banks ; and many even of those who were aware that they resided 
in burrows, because the natives had told them so, still had no conception of their form. 
and extent. The opinion of many was that they inhabited the water only, concealing 
themselves at the bottom of the rivers, and rising occasionally to the surface to play 
about, and to take in a supply of atmospheric air previous to their re-descent. This 
belief had induced some of them when they had obtained a living specimen to plunge it 
instantly into a tub of water. If the tub was half filled with water, they were surprised 
afterwards to find the animal dead; and if the tub was filled nearly to overflowing, 
equally surprised to find that it had escaped. I have always observed, when a living 
' See Plate xxxiv. for sketches of the different positions of the animal when feeding, asleep, cleaning 
itself, &c. 
