stretching out the fore-paws, and extending the web of the fore-feet to their utmost expansion. Although this was quite natural, yet, not being in the habit of seeing a duck yawn, it had the semblance of being perfectly unnatural. It often surprised me to see how they contrived to reach the summit of a book-case, or any other high piece of furniture. This was at last discovered to be effected by the animal supporting the back against the wall, and placing the feet against the bookcase, and then, by aid of the strong cutaneous muscles of the back and the claws of the feet, they contrived to reach the top very expeditiously. "When running they are very animated; their little eyes glisten, and the orifices of the ears open and shut, so as to catch the slightest sound. Their eyes being placed so much above, in the head, they do not see objects well in a straight line, and consequently run against every thing in the room. I have seen them now and then elevate the head, as if to regard the objects around or above them ; but they more usually ran head-foremost without looking on one side or the other. I have sometimes been able to play with them, by scratching or tickling them with my finger. They seemed to enjoy it, for they opened their mandibles, biting playfully at the finger, and moving about in the same manner as we see a young dog enjoy similar treatment. "As well as combing their fur to clean it when wet, I have also seen them often pick (if the term may be allowed) it with the beak, as a duck would clean its feathers. What with this and the combing of the hind-feet, it is a curious sight to see them engaged in the occupations of the toilet. When I placed the animals in a pan of deep water, they were eager to get out; but when the water was shallow, with a turf of grass placed in one corner, they enjoyed it greatly, and played many amusing gambols. “After the cleaning operation was over, they would perambulate the room for a short time, and then seek repose. It is seldom they remained longer than ten or fifteen minutes in the water at a time. One evening the animals came out about dusk, ate their food from the saucer, and then commenced playing like two puppies. In the scuffle one would be thrust down, and when the spectator would expect it to rise again, the animal commenced scratching itself, its antagonist looking on, and waiting for the other to rise and renew the combat. "Some time after, to my great regret, my little favourites became meagre, their coats lost the sleek and beautiful appearance which before caused them to be so much admired, yet they ran about and appeared lively. But these external symptoms were much against their being in a state of health. When wet, their fur became matted, and never appeared to dry so readily as before; the mandibles, and indeed every part of the animals, indicated anything but a state of health. How different was their appearance now from the time I removed them from the burrow; then, their plump and sleek appearance excited even the admiration of the apathetic blacks; now, the poor creatures could only excite commiseration for their reduced condition. The female died on the 29th January, and the male on the 2d February, 1833, having been kept by me during the space of nearly five weeks. Thus my expectations of conveying them to England were frustrated." |