﻿2IO ALLEN'S NATURALISTS LIBRARY. 



colour grey, sometimes becoming lighter near the tip. Length 

 of head and body of male about 5^ inches; of tail 8^ inches ; 

 female slightly larger, with a shorter tail. 



Distribution. — Central Mexico to Brazil. 



Habits. — As the preceding species was compared in size to 

 the Black Rat, so the present one, which is the best known 

 representative of the group, may be likened to a common 

 Mouse in this respect. Very abundant in Guiana, it is said not 

 only to be as expert a climber as its kindred, but also at times 

 to burrow in the ground. In addition to insects, it preys upon 

 small birds, and is reported not to disdain fruits. 



IX. TEHUANTEPEC OPOSSUM. DIDELPHYS CANESCENS. 



Didelphys {Micoureus) canescens, J. A. Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. 

 Nat. Hist., vol. v., p. 235 (1893). 



Characters. — Size even smaller than that of D. mwrina ; fur 

 short, thick, and close. General colour (very similar to that of 

 the undermentioned D. grisea) ashy brown, with a slight 

 rufescent tinge in some specimens ; under-parts white, tinged 

 with pale yellow ; a broad blackish eye-ring, extending forwards 

 nearly to the nose; area between the eyes, sides of face, and neck 

 yellowish-grey, and much lighter than the back. Ears broad, 

 rounded, naked, probably yellowish in life. Tail slightly longer 

 than the head and body, heavily furred for the basal half-inch, 

 elsewhere naked; in colour pale brown, either uniform, or 

 variegated with flesh-coloured spots. Length of head and 

 body about 5^ inches ; of tail 5I inches. 



Distribution. — Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico. Compared 

 with D. mirrina, which it much resembles in colour, this species 

 IS luliy one-third smaller, with a relatively shorter tail in which 

 the furred portion is of less extent. Possibly it may prove 

 identical with D. water housei,'\i that be distinct from D. murifia ; 



