Mike Augee will present his ``Echidnas the extraordinary egg laying mammal'' talk as part of the Macarthur Heritage Lectures at Campbelltown Arts Centre tomorrow night, July 16, at 7.30pm.

Dr Augee is a former professor at the University of NSW and is now a paleontologist at a private station in Wellington.

He speaks passionately about echidnas and thinks they truly are extraordinary.

``They're mammals and they lay eggs,'' he said.

``They're extraordinary in appearance a little bundle of mobile spines.

``They're extraordinary in ecology and they're absolutely everywhere in Australia.''

Dr Augee said the lack of sightings in the area could be a result of the echidna's expertise in disguising itself.

``They can stand still in the grass and you won't see them,'' he said.

``Those spines are brilliant camouflage.''

Dr Augee hopes people who attend the lecture will leave with an appreciation of ``a terrific animal''.

``Which leads to a general appreciation of our native bush which is rapidly disappearing,'' he said.

A copy of his book Echidna: Extraordinary Egg-Laying Mammal will be available on the night.

The lecture is the second of four in the Macarthur Heritage Lecture series that is sponsored by the Macarthur branch of the National Parks Association, University of Western Sydney, and Campbelltown Arts Centre.

Entry is free but a gold coin donation would be appreciated.

Details: 46251583 or 46366301.