ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN* 



1633 



but passes its time in water and not on land, ex- 

 cept when coiled up in its burrow with its tail 

 tucked underneath, which usually is most of the 

 day. It seeks its food generally in the evening 

 or sometimes during the day in some very shel- 

 tered spot, feeding on earthworms, shell-fish, 

 crustaceans and water insects, general!}*; a cer- 

 tain amount of which it can store in its cheek 

 pouches. 



Although thf young have rudimentary teeth, 

 they have none when the} - reach an adult stage ; 

 horny plates developing in the place of them. 

 which enables the animals to masticate their 

 food, which they usually do when lying on the 

 surface of flic water. The fur. which looks ver> 

 much like that of a seal when the longer hairs 

 are removed, is of two kinds; the longer benn; 

 shiny and crisp and the under fur soft and 

 short. The hill is soft and leathery, but shrinks 

 considerably when dry. as in museum specimens. 

 The under parts are lighter in color, usually 

 greyish white. The tail is broad and flat and 

 of a dark color above. The under part is usual- 

 ly devoid of hair, especially in the older animals. 

 Their eyes are very small, but as their bill is 

 usually sensitive, they generally can find their 

 insect prey by the sense of touch. 



Being unable to raise the body high from the 

 ground like ordinary animals they can only shuf- 

 fle along in an awkward manner. It is a bur- 

 rowing animal and makes a long, upward tunnel 

 in the river banks, sometimes thirty feet in 

 length, usually starting at the roots of a tree 



ed bevond the claw 



that grows to the water, 

 with the entrance generally 

 under the surface of the wa- 

 ter. At the end is a small 

 chamber lined with leaves 

 and grass, generally not so 

 far from the surface of the 

 ground, so that the natives 

 frequently can tell where 

 the nest is by striking the 

 surface of the ground above 

 and listening for the echo. 

 When swimming the claws 

 and web are stretched out to 

 their full extent, but on 

 land the extended web is al- 

 ways doubled up under- 

 neath ; the end of the claws 

 then coming in contact with 

 the ground. 



In nearly all specimens in 

 museums, the web is expand 

 although the animal is 

 But that 



represented as being on the ground 

 is incorrect. 



These animals are very timid, and though 

 they possess no external ears, they are verv 

 quick at hearing, and any suspicious sound 



UNDER SURFACE OF THE ECHIDNA 



