196 MONOTREMATOUS WATER TRESPASSERS. 



which looks almost exactly like that of a duck all 

 point to the fact that it passes much of its time in the 

 water. 



In this animal, as well as in that which was just 

 described, the protection of colour is very considerable. 

 As it floats on the surface of the water, it bears an 

 almost exact resemblance to a bunch of loose weeds, 

 and, as it has a habit of allowing itself to drift with 

 the stream, the resemblance is so close that it can 

 hardly be detected. In fact, it is only when the animal 

 begins to paddle that the slight rippling motion which 

 it makes in the water leads to its detection. As, more- 

 over, it does not expose itself in daylight, but chooses 

 the dusk of the evening for its wanderings, it is ren- 

 dered still more indistinguishable by the fading light. 



Dr. Bennett has given in his " Gatherings of a 

 Naturalist in Australia," a very interesting account of 

 the habits and appearance of the animal, together with 

 an admirable coloured illustration. 



In the first place, the stuffed specimens which are 

 usually seen give but little idea of the real form and 

 contour of the Duckbill. The most conspicuous part 

 of the creature namely, the bird-like beak, is always 

 black, flat, and withered ; whereas in the living animal 

 it is rounded, fleshy, and of a pinkish colour. It is 

 used as a tactile organ, and is evidently well furnished 

 with nerves, the animal paddling with it in the mud 

 just as a duck does, and extracting from it the aquatic 

 insects and molluscs on which it feeds. Like the 

 yapock opposum, it is furnished with large pouches on 

 either side of its cheeks. 



Dr. Bennett succeeded in capturing several of these 



