66 - The Opossum 
“coon” is fully up to the trick, and few deceiving 
opossums escape him. I have found the ruse of 
“playing ’possum” to be specific rather than general 
among the species. Those that are partly tamed seem 
never to practice it. 
The home of the opossum may be in a hollow tree, 
a crevice in the rocks, or under a building. ‘The 
hollow tree, however, seems to be preferred. The 
nest itself is composed of dried grass and leaves. 
The opossum usually comes forth from his retreat 
at the close of day, wandering about in search of 
food; he is not strictly nocturnal, however, for cloudy 
days will often find him abroad, and I have seen him 
in the bright sunshine. 
His menu is varied, but you may be sure it is a 
full one when it can be obtained. It consists chiefly 
of insects, small reptiles, young birds, and_ birds’ 
eggs. Occasionally he dines from the poultry yard, 
and here he shows a decided preference for young 
chickens. Vegetable food enters but little into his 
bill of fare, although he is very fond of ripe fruits 
of various kinds. 
The young, varying in number from six to twelve, 
are born in a very immature state—blind, hairless, 
and exceedingly small, in fact weighing but a few 
grains. The mother places the young in a pouch, 
