"In the next division the platypus and its burrows are shown. These curious oviparous animals commence their long burrows under water, and work upwards into dry ground. The nest is constructed in a little chamber made of dry leaves and grass, and is very warm and comfortable; there is a second entrance on dry ground. The young are found in the months of September and October, but occasionally either a little earlier or later; generally two or three at a time."
1892. A. Sutherland, `Elementary Geography of British Colonies,' p. 273:
"The platypus is covered with fur like an otter, and has four webbed feet, like those of a duck, and a black duck-like bill. It makes a burrow in a river bank, but with an opening below the level of the water. It swims and dives in quiet shady river-bends, and disappears on hearing the least noise."
1894. R. Lydekker, `Marsupialia,' p. 233:
"The duck-bill was originally described under the name of <i>Platypus anatinus</i>, which was Anglicised into duck-billed platypus, but since the generic name [<i>Platypus</i>] had been previously employed for another group of animals, it had, by the rules of zoological nomenclature, to give place to the later <i>Ornithorhynchus</i>, although Shaw's specific name of<i>anatina</i> still holds good. On these grounds it is likewise preferable to discard the Anglicised term Duck-billed Platypus in favour of the simpler Duck-bill or Duck-Mole."
[Mr. Lydekker is a scientific Englishman, who has not lived in Australia, and although the names of <i>Duck-bill</i> and <i>Duck-mole</i> are perhaps preferable for more exact scientific use, yet by long usage the name Platypus has become the ordinary vernacular name, and is the one by which the animal will always be known in Australian popular language.]
<hw>Plover</hw>, <i>n</i>. The bird called the Plover exists all over the world. The species present in Australia are—
Black-breasted Plover—
<i>Sarciophorus pectoralis</i>, Cuv.
Golden P.—
<i>Charadrius fulvus</i>, Gmel.
Grey P.—
<i>C. helveticus</i>, Linn.