186 



THE VIKGINIAN OPOSSUM. 



fond, he will climb the tallest stems, and bite them across, 

 so as to brino' the heavy ear to the oround. He Avill also 



clamber to some higher 

 branch, and hang down, 

 in search of the fruit 

 growing on the boughs 

 incapable of bearing his 

 weio'ht. 



T]ie quality for which 

 he is chiefly noted is 

 liis habit of fei^'nino 

 death. Frequently he 

 is brought to the ground, 

 when there he lies, every 

 limb relaxed, evidently 

 as dead as can be. The 

 knowing hunter will, 

 however, keep his glance 

 on the creature. If he 

 withdraws it for a mo- 

 ment, its eyelids will be 

 seen slowly opening ; and 

 should he turn his head 

 for even the shortest 

 space, the creature will 

 be on its feet, stealino' 

 away through the under- 

 wood. Though so per- 

 fectly an adept at '' 'pos- 

 sumingV' before attempting to practise its usual ruse it will 

 make every effort to escape from its ]~>ursuers. When chased 



HUNTING THE OPOSSUM. 



