210 LLOYD’S NATURAL HISTORY. 
colour grey, sometimes becoming lighter near the tip. Length \ 
of head and body of male about 5% inches; of tail 84 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 inthe 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. murina ; 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 52 inches. 
Distribution.—Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico. Compared: 
with D. murina, which it much resembles in colour, this species | 
is fully one-third smaller, with a relatively shorter tail in which | 
the furred portion is of less extent. Possibly it may prove: 
identical with D, waterhousei, if that be distinct from D. murina | 
