48 



Order MARSUPIALIA 



This slow, dull, and solitary nocturnal animal eats a variety 

 of food. The chief items of its diet are fruits, insects, some 

 small birds, mice, garbage, and an abundance of scraps from 

 the kills of other mammals. An area of about 12 acres of good 

 woodland that is not heavily grazed and that has plenty of 

 food and water is probably sufficient to support one opossum. 



Abundance of food and suitable habitats and production of a 

 large number of young would soon result in a tremendous num- 



SOUTHEASTERN SHREW 



Fig. 43. — Known distribution, in the United States, of insecti- 

 vores with a limited range in Illinois. 



