Having recently participated in an organised excursion to determine platypus numbers in the upper reaches of the Condamine River, I turned to Trove (the National Library of Australia's Online Newspaper Archive) to look for other records of this wonderful animal in the Southern Downs.
All of the article here can be found in a Trove list titled 'Southern Downs Platypus' which I have set up as a collaborative list. I have only corrected one copy of a text if it appears in multiple papers and usually I have sought to correct the earliest paper. Some articles appear in the Trove list that do not appear here. They mostly refer to fossils or bunyip theories.
1873
Record of platypus in the headwaters of the Condamine
TO THE EDITOR SIR, — A paragraph headed, "A curious sporting incident," and extracted from "the Queanbeyan Age, is now going the rounds of our Queensland papers, having reference to the killing of a platypus by water-concussion, or as Mr McCann says, by the filling of the air-cells with water by striking the water through the discharge of his gun in close proximity to the nostrils of the platypus. My object in writing is to confirm the incident. I was shooting near the head of the Condamine river with a Westley Richards breech loading carbine, No. 30 bore. Whilst stand-ing on the bank of a creek, ten or twelve feet perpendicular from the water, a platypus rose, and not wishing to destroy the skin, I took careful aim at its head ; I saw the bullet had struck the water close to its head, but the platypus remained without a move stretched out on the surface of the water. I called to my son, a lad of 15, and lowered him down the bank, and on examining the platypus the skull was sound, as was also the body found to be after skinning, and I arrived at the same conclusion that Mr McCann arrives at — that death was instantaneously caused by the force of water through the nostrils, ears, or eyes, but like yourselves, I must leave the solution of the incident to more scientific brains. I trouble myself to write these few lines in confirmation of the incident, because on relating my adventure, I was subjected to a great deal of chuff by those to whom I de-tailed the incident.
BELVOR DAVENEY
Warwick, Queensland, August 29.
Source:
Correspondence. (1873, September 11). Queanbeyan Age (NSW : 1867 - 1904), p. 2. Retrieved October 2, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30594612
1881
Record of a number of platypus in the Severn River
NOTES CONCERNING THE PLATYPUS. — The following interesting notes are sent us by Mr. Her-man Lau :— " I lately went on an expedition to the Severn River with the intention of patiently investigating for my own satisfaction the peculiar habits of the platypus. Of eighteen specimens which I procured only three were females, and these only came out of their underground burrows after their males had been shot. The entrance to the burrow is always under water, but a turn upwards is soon taken until above water level, but it then descends again. At the end is a space scooped out large enough to house at least two pair, and this nest is lined with rootlets and dried grass. These water-holes appear to be to a certain extent gregarious, or else the young keep with their parents until quite grown to maturity. A little before sunrise and sunset they leave their burrows in search of food, which consists of minute bivalves ; these they are often to be seen scraping off submerged logs. Having two formidable grinders at the back of their mouths they can crack these shells, and the food thus prepared is, by the aid of two horny kind of teeth situated on the back part of the tongue, placed in two pouches, one on either side of the cheeks, and thus laden the animals make for their burrow, giving this food to their females, and also storing some up for the summer season." Mr. Lau states it as a fact that during the summer time they are as a rule never to be seen that contrary to all other animals, which when dormant choose the winter in which to lie up, the platypus chooses the summer. [This does not accord with our observations in the Southern colonies. Ed. Q.] "In the month of August two hairless blind young are born, who receive their nourishment of milk which oozes out through fine apertures in the skin under which, along the flank, is a curiously formed milk and so situated that when pressed by the feet of the mother the milk is forced out. As the little one cannot appear the first season before the summer intervenes I consider this the reason why no remarkably small ones have ever been seen. In spring morning takes place, but it is chiefly the silver hairs on the underside that are cast. Only the males have spurs on the hind feet ; these spurs are perforated, and a gland containing a clear watery fluid is found underneath. This substance I have heard is poisonous. [There is, we believe, no foundation for this assertion ; all experiments have failed to prove it injurious Ed. Q.] The length of those I have shot average 1ft. 10in. for the male and 1ft. 6in. for the female. just over the very small black eyes open the ears, which run in the form of a tube under the skin and over the head — a provision evidently for excluding the water. No actual stomach is visible ; the food, exceedingly finely digested, passes simply through the intestine. These little animals are most expert swimmers, and seem quite at ease even against a rapid stream. Out of the water I never saw them, but fancy that when they have to migrate through waterholes drying up they do so at night. The skin is valuable for its fur ; it is to be hoped that this will not lead to the animal's extinction."
Source:
Current Notes on Natural History. (1881, June 4). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 7. Retrieved October 2, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article910272
See also:THE NATURALIST (1881, June 4). The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), p. 715. Retrieved October 2, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20707491
1880's
Platypus near Lyndhurst
While this article does not state that platypus were observed it does indicate that two schoolboys were there with the expectation that they would be seen.
THE BUNYIP AGAIN.
A NEW and interesting bunyip theory is put forward by V.B.W. (Toowong), who writes:-"Back in the '80's I was a schoolboy at Warwick, and various and weird were the stories about the mysterious bunyip. Another lad and I, much addicted to fishing and shooting together, were camped one night on the bank of the Condamine, near Lyndhurst, our object being platypus in the very early morning. About 3 a.m. there was a sudden commotion in the water nearby; something large was tearing about on the surface, and making a good deal of noise. By the time we had grabbed our guns and run to the water, however, we could see nothing except the agitated ripples. In about an hour's time the same sound of a body rushing through the water came again. We were at the edge in a very few seconds, but with no better luck than before, and we were two very mystified lads.
"Some months later we were camped out at Emu Creek, at the end of a large, deep hole, this time quite close to the water. Towards morning we were awakened by the noise of something in the water rushing around on the surface, but by the time we were properly awake the heaving was becoming smooth again. We kept awake and ready, and it came again just before daybreak, but it flashed about at tremendous speed, and for only a few seconds. At full daylight we found the water only about 3ft. deep here, with a flat, stony bottom, and there we saw three or four jew-fish 'nests,' each with the mother jewfish swimming slowly round and round as their habit is. We concluded that what had made the great disturbances was a big cod or other large fish which had been after the Jew-fish, or attempting to rob the nests. Thus was the old Bunyip myth simply explained away, for us at least."
Source:
The Bushlover. (1931, May 23). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 17. Retrieved October 3, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21718593
1892
Platypus skins prepared in Killarney, perhaps caught locally.
Tanned Skins for Sale.F BECKER, Spring Greek, Killarney, has the following lines of Skins, beautifully Tanned, for sale:- Opossum Skins 9s doz., Opossum 6s doz., Cat 12s doz., Cat 6s doz., Cat (grey) 3s doz., Platypus 30s doz., Platypus 12s doz. Squirrel 30s doz., Squirrel 12s doz., Wallaby (scrub) 6s doz.Orders left at the Exchange will be attended to.
1910
Notes on a rug for sale made from Killarney platypus
PLATYPUS RUG.There is on view in one of the windows of Messrs. Gobbetts Ltd., the Big Store, a beautiful Platypus skin rug, made from skins collected by Mr. McKeating of this city. The majority of the skins were collected near Killarney, and they are in splendid condition, and the rug is lined with dark red satin which gives it a handsome appearance. We understand that the rug is for sale at a reasonable price, and it should be appreciated if sent to friends in the old land.
1912
Platypus observed near Scotts Weir, Warwick.
PLATYPUS CAUGHT ALIVE.
Early on Sunday morning Mr. A. Redgwell, of this town, succeeded in capturing a very fine specimen of that interesting animal, the Ornithorynchus parahoaxus or duck-billed platypus, which was disporting itself in the water of the Condamine, near the East street ford (says the War wick "Argus" at 20th August). It is very rarely that these animals are captured alive, and Mr. Redgwell, who is aware of that fact, is desirous of knowing whether any of the scientific societies or institutions in Brisbane would be glad to take charge of the captive. Failing that, he is determined to restore that animal to the river.
Source:
PLATYPUS CAUGHT ALIVE. (1912, August 22). The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), p. 8. Retrieved October 2, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article178644877
See also:
PLATYPUS CAUGHT ALIVE. (1912, August 30). The Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), p. 27. Retrieved October 2, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article188914450
AN INTERESTING CAPTURE. (1912, August 22). The Bundaberg Mail and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1892 - 1917), p. 3. Retrieved October 2, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article215520212
1916
Impact of drought on an undisclosed location close to Main Range
DROUGHT ON THE DOWNS.The enclosed photos (writes a correspondent) will give an idea of how the present drought affected one of the best watered localities on the Darling Downs, only a few miles from the Main Range. Under ordinary conditions the place where the canoe is in the second picture would be the centre of a stretch of water a mile long and anything from 12 to 20 feet deep, on which much enjoyment was obtained by having a row in the cool evenings. Immediately around the canoe can be seen the skeletons of dead turtles, not to mention hundreds of the freshwater cat fish, ranging from ½lb. to 1lb., I tried to count them, but when I got up to 200 had to stop. There were also the remains of platypus and water rats. On the banks of this dry waterhole the lucerne is still growing, and an occasional cutting is taken off, which cannot be wondered at seeing that it is noted as being one of the best lucerne areas in the Warwick district. Before the land comprising these lucerne properties was cut up and sold, a good-sited steamer could be floated in the waterhole, but the cracked bottom will show that some of the alluvial from the farms has been swept in by storms. (The photograph showing the dry bed was taken before the recent thunderstorms.—Ed "Q.").
1929
Platypus in near Queens Park, Warwick.
Helen Street should probably be read Helene Street, in which case the bridge is better known today as the O. O. Madsen Bridge. While the published records of platypus in the Condamine are sparse it is worth noting that the 'now extinct' in this note suggests a time when they were readily observed.
PLATYPUS IN THE CONDAMINE.
The common belief that the platypus is now extinct so far as the Condamine is concerned was dispelled a few days ago, when several residents of Warwick saw one of these animals from Helen-street bridge.
Source:
Platypuses in the Condamine. (1929, August 7). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 14. Retrieved October 3, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21435183
See also:
Platypuses in the Condamine. (1929, August 15). The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), p. 60. Retrieved October 3, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22916630
1932
Platypus in the Warwick Baths
The assumption in this article that the platypus survived a journey from Connelly Dam to Warwick in a pipe seems unlikely.
PLATYPUS IN BATHS.
TOURING the progress of swimming and life saving competitions on February 19 a small platypus was found in the Warwick baths, evidently having made Its way through the inlet pipe, which is connected with the dam at Silverwood, about 15 miles away. This is the first time for many years that platypus has been seen in the Warwick district.
Source:
PLATYPUS IN BATHS. (1932, February 25). The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), p. 15. Retrieved October 2, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23146877
See also:
1936
Platypus near Queens Park
THE PLATYPUS
MANY IN CONDAMINE
INTERESTING LITTLE ANIMAL
Australia's wonder animal, the platypus, is not as uncommon in the Condamine river as many Warwick residents imagine, as in the past months seven of the shy little creatures save been captured near the Queen's Park bridge. A male, 18 inches in length, taken on Thursday morning, provided an interesting lesson in natural history for numerous children before it was returned to its favourite haunt.
Last March, Lawrence Selke, aged 15 years, of Alice-street, decided to trap water rats with the object of making pocket money from the sale of skins. Using rabbit traps set close to the water between the weir and the bridge, he caught numerous water rats and occasionally trapped a platypus. As there was little tension in the springs, the "duckbills" suffered little or no in-jury, being merely held securely until the boy arrived in the early morning and released them.
The young trapper said that as a rule when platypuses were caught in the traps they did not struggle, but just lay quietly on the bank and showed no sign of alarm at his approach. When released they seemed to enjoy having their fine, soft fur stroked, and when placed on the grass made unhurriedly for the-water. The platypus captured on Thursday seemed be more active than the others caught, and evidently had struggled to free itself as one of its' forefeet was injured. Except for a half-grown male, the animals caught previously were females.
The broad river reach, from the weir around Queen's Park to Helene-street bridge, evidently is a favourite resort for platypuses, as on several occasions odd ones have been seen swimming or lazily floating. Mr. Harry Burrell, C.M.Z.S., whose contribution to zoological literature was a popular work on the platypus, written in 1927, after 20 years of study and research, spent several weeks wading along the river between these points in search of burrows and specimens.
No other animal in the world has aroused so much interest or caused more controversy than the platypus, which puzzled science had labelled Ornithorhynchus paradoxus. This strange little creature presents many primitive features, both in its internal anatomy and externally. It has a soft, flat bill, a squat and muscular body covered with beautiful fur, webbed feet furnished with claws for burrowing, and a fat tail, The female lays two eggs, sometimes three, resembling those of reptiles. The male has two spurs on the hind feet, these being connected with poison glands. Platypuses make burrows, swim quickly through the water and, although ungainly, can move rapidly on the ground. They live on worms, grubs, tadpoles, and the larvae of water insects, and mud is said to be a necessary adjunct to their diet. The most famous platypus is "Splash," who has lived for more than two years in captivity. While many wild animals take kindly to domestication, the peculiar and almost gluttonous diet of these little creatures, coupled with a nervous temperament, prevented their being kept in captivity for more than a few, weeks. After a close study of the platypus and its ways, Mr. Robert Eadie, of Healesville, Victoria, obtained a young live specimen, and kept it under what he believes are the nearest approach to natural conditions. Not only has "Splash" survived; he has grown from 15 inches to 22 inches in length, and is very playful.
Source:
THE PLATYPUS (1936, August 15). Warwick Daily News (Qld. : 1919 -1954), p. 2. Retrieved October 3, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article177384224
See also:
NOT SO RARE! (1936, August 17). The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved October 3, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38501129
THE PLATYPUS (1937, January 4). The Inverell Times (NSW : 1899 - 1907, 1909 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved October 3, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article185381207
1938
Platypus goes to the ambulance station
This is the most repeated story that I came across, picked up by at least ten papers, I assume because it was a curious human interest story. There is a long version used here and a shorter version which is the more republished version.
PLATYPUS ON TOUR
How does one treat an injured platypus? Bearer W. McCallum, of the Warwick ambulance brigade, asked himself that question yesterday when he picked up a small platypus that had wandered into the station and made itself comfortable under one of the trans-port cars. Evidently the platypus, a female 15 inches in length, had been attacked by a dog, for its tail was somewhat lacerated. After examining the specimen, the bearer decided to leave the healing of the wound entirely to Nature. It would have been quite possible for the platypus to have wandered away from the river and followed the watertables half a mile to the ambulance station, but the more likely explanation is that it was brought, to the city as a curiosity and made its escape. In the after-noon, the quaint little creature was taken to Queen's Park and released in the Condamine. For a few minutes it entertained its liberators with a diving display quite close to the bank and finally swam on the surface to the other side of the river.
Source:
Platypus On Tour (1938, April 25). Warwick Daily News (Qld. : 1919 -1954), p. 2. Retrieved October 3, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article190548926
See also:
UNEXPECTED PATIENT. (1938, May 24). Burra Record (SA : 1878 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved October 3, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36066929
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