﻿THE OPOSSUMS. T99 



DistriTjntion. — Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chili, Para- 

 guay, and South Brazil ; that is to say, the countries lying to 

 the west and south of the Amazonian region. Also Argentina 

 and Patagonia (Hudson). Azara's Opossum is the only one 

 which can be allowed to rank as a distinct geographical variety 

 of the common Opossum, all the other variations to which 

 distinct specific names have been applied having no sort of 

 constancy, either in the form of the markings, or in geographical 

 distribution. 



Habits. — The common Opossum is a thoroughly arboreal 

 species, and is chiefly noticeable for the large size of its body, 

 which may be compared to that of a Cat, and for the full develop- 

 ment of the pouch ; the numerous young resorting to the latter 

 until they attain considerable dimensions. An expert climber, 

 the Opossum hunts eagerly among the boughs for birds and 

 their nests, as well as for the smaller reptiles and larger insects; 

 while it is reported to be very destructive to poultry. In 

 climbing, it is assisted by its prehensile tail ; and when pursued 

 and wounded, displays the death-feigning instinct, suffering un- 

 bounded ill-treatment without moving a muscle or displaying 

 a sign of life. Like many of the lower Mammals, its vital 

 tenacity is wonderfully developed. The number of young at 

 a birth may even amount to a dozen ; and at the time these 

 are brought forth the female makes a nest of dry grass at the 

 root of a tree, or in some thick bush. When first born, the 

 shapeless, naked young are extremely minute, and it seems 

 marvellous how they are able to attach themselves to the teats 

 in the pouch. They develop, however, with great rapidity, 

 and in a short time attain the size of a Mouse, when they are 

 able to leave the pouch, to which they return for shelter at the 

 approach of danger, or for the purpose of obtaining nutri- 

 ment. 



The Manicou, as this species is called in some parts of 



