92 THE OPOSSUMS. 



silvery nue ; on the flanks and limLs a bright ash 

 colour prevails ; a rusty hue predominates on the 

 belly, and in the region of the pouch the hairs are 

 of a deep rust colour ;* the summit of the head and 

 the muzzle is black or blackish, and there are three 

 large white, or whitish, spots on each side of the 

 head, one above, one beneath, and one behind each 

 eye. 



The fur of the young is more washed with fawn 

 colour, or with brown, than in the adults. 



The Quica Opossum is often confounded both 

 with the Didelphys opossum and the Z). myosurus or 

 nudicaudata, these three species being closely allied, 

 of nearly equal size, and having the conspicuous white 

 spots above the eyes ; the principal distinguishing 

 characters of each are pointed out at the end of the 

 description of D. Qiudicaudata. 



The present species is common in Brazil, and is 

 also found in Guiana and Surinam. It lives on trees, 

 says M. Temminck, and preys upon small birds, and 

 also feeds upon insects and fruits. In captivity it 

 has been fed with flesh. During the day time the 

 Quica, like the other species, hides itself and sleeps, 

 having its body rolled into a ball. 



SURINAM OPOSSUM. 



Didelphys opossum. 

 Didelphys opossum, Gmelin, Temminck. 



Description. — Length from nose to root of tail, 1 

 * A very commoxi circumstance in these pouched animals. 



