502 AUDUBON 



slow, and as it walks or ambles along, its curious prehen- 

 sile tail is carried just above the ground, its rounded ears 

 are directed forward, and at almost every step its pointed 

 nose is applied to the objects beneath it, in order to dis- 

 cover what sort of creatures may have crossed its path. 

 Methinks I see one at this moment slowly and cautiously 

 trudging over the melting snows by the side of an unfre- 

 quented pond, nosing as it goes for the fare its ravenous 

 appetite prefers. Now it has come upon the fresh track 

 of a Grouse or Hare, and it raises its snout and snuffs the 

 keen air. At length it has decided on its course, and it 

 speeds onward at the rate of a man's ordinary walk. It 

 stops and seems at a loss in what direction to go, for the 

 object of its pursuit has either taken a considerable leap 

 or has cut backwards before the Opossum entered its 

 track. It raises itself up, stands for a while on its hind 

 feet, looks around, snuffs the air again, and then proceeds ; 

 but now, at the foot of a noble tree, it comes to a full 

 stand. It walks round the base of the huge trunk, over 

 the snow-covered roots, and among them finds an aperture 

 which it at once enters. Several minutes elapse, when 

 it re-appears, dragging along a Squirrel already deprived 

 of life, with which in its mouth it begins to ascend the 

 tree. Slowly it climbs. The first fork does not seem to 

 suit it, for perhaps it thinks it might there be too openly 

 exposed to the view of some wily foe; and so it proceeds, 

 until it gains a cluster of branches intertwined with grape- 

 vines, and there composing itself, it twists its tail round 

 one of the twigs, and with its sharp teeth demolishes the 

 unlucky Squirrel, which it holds all the while with its 

 fore-paws. 



The pleasant days of spring have arrived, and the trees 

 vigorously shoot forth their buds; but the Opossum is 

 almost bare, and seems nearly exhausted by hunger. It 

 visits the margins of creeks, and is pleased to see the 

 young frogs, which afford it a tolerable repast. Gradually 



