APPEARANCE AND HABITS OF THE DUCK-BILL 197 



This animal is about as large as a prairie-' 'dog," and its 

 body is similarly shaped; but there the resemblance ends 

 abruptly. Its front feet are webbed quite beyond the ends 

 of the toes, and in digging, the outer edge of the web is rolled 

 back underneath the foot, to expose the claws. The hind 



THE PLATYPUS, OR DUCK-BILL. 



feet are webbed only to the base of the claws, and each is 

 provided with a strong, sharp spur an inch long, which is 

 said to be connected with a poison gland. 



The tail is broad and flattened, well haired on the upper 

 side and almost naked below. The hair of the Platypus is 

 dark brown in color. The outer coat is stiff and harsh out- 

 side, but the inner is fine and soft. The length of head and 

 body is 13 inches; tail, 5 inches. 



The habits of the Duck-Bill are very similar to those of 

 our old friend the muskrat. It inhabits quiet but deep pools 

 of fresh water, burrows deeply into the banks and is seldom 

 seen save at nightfall. In its burrow it builds a nest for its 



