352 DIVISION I. VERTEBRAI, AiflMALS. — CLASS I. MAMMALIA. 



ancl water, in wliicli situatinn it soon became tranquil, and apparent!}^ recon- 

 ciled to its confinement. Tiic next morning, tying a long cord to its leg, 

 lie roused it, and placed it on the baids: of tlic ri\er. It soon found its way 

 into the water, and tra\ellcd up the stream, and delighted in those places 

 wliich aljdundril most in aipuitic weeds. " AVhen diving in deep and clear 

 water, its motions were distinctly seen. It sunk speedily to the bottom, 

 swam there lor a short distance, and tlien rose again to the surface. It 

 appeared, liowe\ei', to jirefer keeping close to the bank, occasionally thrust- 

 ing its beak into the mud, from whence it evidently [jrocured food, as' on 

 raising the head, after withdi-awing the beak, the mandibles were seen in 

 lateral motion, as is usual wiicn the animal masticates. The motions of 

 the mandibles were similar to those of a <luck under the same circumstances. 

 After feeding, it would lie sometimes on the grassy bank, and at others, 

 partly in and partly out of the water, combing and cleaning its coat with the 

 claws of the hind feet. Tiiis process occupied a considerable time, and 

 greatly imjiroved its sleek and glossy appearance. After its second excursion 

 it was I'cplaced in the box, wiiich was not opened again until the following 

 morning, when it was found to ha\e made its csca[)e." 



]\Ir. G. Ueunett ])roceeds to describe in detail their habits in a state of 

 captivity. "Their various attitudes, when in a state of repose, are curious. 

 The most favorite posture of the young animals appears to be Iving rt)lled 

 np like a ball. This is eliecled l)v the fore paws being jilaced under tlie 

 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 

 tiie rotinidity of the figure. 'J'iie young were allowed to run al)out the room ; 

 but the old one was so restless, and damaged the w'alls so much by her at- 

 tem])ts at burrowing, that it was found necessary to confine her to the box. 

 Dm'ing the day she would remain quiet, huddlcil iqi with her young ones ; 

 but at night she became \cvy restless, and eager to escape. The little ones 

 were as frolicsome as pup[)ies, and apparently as fond of play, and many of 

 their actions were not a little ludicrous. During the day they seemed to 

 prefer a dark corner for repose, and generally resorted to the spot to which 

 they had been accustomed, altiiough they would change it on a sudden, 

 apparently from mere caprice. They did not appear to like deep water, but 

 enjoved exceedingly a bathe in shalknv water, with a tiu'f of grass placed in 

 one corner of the pan. They seldom remained longer than ten or filteen 

 minutes in the water at one time. Though apparently nocturnal, or at least 

 preferring the cool and dusky evening to the glare and heat of noon, tlieir 

 movements in this respect were so irregular as to fin-nish no grounds for a 

 definite conclusion. They slept much, and it frequently happened that oiie 

 slept while the other was running about." 



