AN EGG-LAYING MAMMAL 73 



hole, and six, eight, or even ten feet beneath the surface 

 of the ground, the echidna makes a nest which greatly 

 resembles that of the platypus, or duck-bill. It is composed 

 of fine fibres, grass, and feathers, with sometimes tufts of 

 wool or fur. The wool and feathers must be gathered 

 from the ground, and in various nests which I have 

 examined consisted of sheep's wool, and the fur of 

 kangaroos, wallabies, and the small rat-like marsupials 

 which abound in the mountains. Much of this fur or 

 wool belong to animals which are only found on the 

 plains, and unless it was blown to the mountains by high 

 winds, it must have been fetched by the little animals 

 from immense distances. 



The former may possibly be the right explanation ; 

 for the animal is a bad walker, and cannot escape by run- 

 ning. The hind feet are used most awkwardly, the nails 

 being turned backwards, and the ankles only placed on the 

 ground, causing the animal to appear as if crippled when 

 viewed from behind. It does, however, travel long distances 

 from its burrow ; on such occasions it is frequently captured. 

 It seems to be very dull of hearing, and when surprised, 

 if its captor runs quickly upon it, it may be seized before 

 it has time to bury itself. Though its spines look formid- 

 able they do not seem to be intended by nature to serve 

 as a defence. At any rate, the echidna may be handled 

 with more freedom than the European porcupine can be. 



The nest is not at all like that of a bird, but is a mere 

 bed of materials on which the egg is laid. I have not been 

 able to ascertain if the eggs are incubated ; and, if so, for 

 how long a period. They greatly resemble those of the 

 duck-bill, and are about the size of those of a thrush. One, 

 I think, is the normal number laid annually ; but some- 

 times there are two, which is just the reverse of the case 

 with the duck-bill, which usually lays two, but occasionally 

 one only. 



These eggs are far more avian than reptilian in char- 

 acter. The shell is parchment-like, quite white in colour, 

 and tough in texture ; but the yolk exactly resembles that 

 in birds' eggs. The young, like those of the duck-bill, are 



