A 
NATURALIST’S 
NOTES 
FROM THE BUSH. 
By 
CyRin GrAanD DAnn, 
Illustrated with Photographs 
by the Author. 
. 
wat 
FULL-GROWN PORCUPINE-ANTEATER. 
cae 
MW. THE PORCUPINE-ANTEHATER. 
HIS interesting and curious animal, which has no connection with the true 
Porcupine, but is one of the two egg-laying mammals, has very frequently come 
under my notice while crossing the mountain tracts of Victoria, and at all times 
awakens within me a desire to observe its actions while following out the routine of its 
daily life; being, of course—and this is the true secret of successful Nature observation— 
unseen myself. 
There is something so sedate, so matter-of-fact, in relation to its general method 
of carrying into effect any passing desire. No hurry or unnecessary bustle is at any 
time noticeable; and while the sharp ears and sharper little eyes are perpetually on 
the qui vive, it requires an accustomed and observant onlooker to detect the high-strung 
condition of its nervous system. 
With back arched and a formidable array of pointed spines laid evenly upon the 
thick hairy coating, the porcupine moves among the scrub or ferns with a regular, leisurely 
step, occasionally pausing in its erratic course to overturn a strip of bark or scratch 
aside half-decayed sticks and roots likely to prove a good resort for lurking insects. 
A little while ago I caught sight of a very fine porcupine busily engaged digging 
into an ant-heap. Creeping to within a few yards of the animal as quietly as I could 
I sank cautiously down among the ferns, and prepared myself to, watch it while thus 
occupied in obtaining its natural food. 
So far as I could judge, it appeared to be quite oblivious of possible danger; in fact, 
I have sometimes felt almost convinced that the animal is not of a nervous disposition 
at all. However, experiments I have resorted to always proved it otherwise. This 
particular porcupine I subjected to one or two tests, and I am since content to 
admit that, like every other denizen of forest country, the porcupine is ever on the 
alert. Making a spring of a supple twig I released it with a sharp snap against my 
leather legging and noted that the effect upon the porcupine was considerable, causing 
a spasmodic shudder to convulse its whole body; suggesting, too, that such a sound in 
the bush is uncommon. When whistling the familiar call-notes of various bush-birds 
no heed was taken at all, the animal even failing to tur its head in the direction 
from which the sounds emanated. 
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