52 IN THE WILDS OF SOUTH AMERICA 



tecting woods. Later they posted a sentinel or remained 

 on the alert ; for no sooner did we reach one side of the 

 clearing than all the squirrels hurried away on the oppo- 

 site side, being careful to keep the granary between them- 

 selves and us. There were many stray dogs in the neigh- 

 borhood; they pursued the squirrels while making their 

 pilgrimage across the open space, and devoured any they 

 succeeded in catching. 



There were also other marauders that exacted a heavy 

 toll in grain from the farmer. Yellow-throated woodpeck- 

 ers (Melanerpes flavigularis) and green and yellow jays 

 (Xanthoma yncas) were always about and frequently came 

 to grief in our traps set for small rodents. 



A species of pigmy opossum (Thylamys caucce) lived in 

 the woods. It is the size of a mouse, but has a longer tail. 

 The slate-colored little animals prefer small cavities in tree- 

 trunks for their homes, where they spend the days curled 

 up in sleep; if disturbed they are very sluggish and may be 

 taken in the hand, their only concern being to find a dark 

 spot where they can snuggle up to one another and go to 

 sleep again. At night they are more active and go on 

 foraging expeditions for fruit, insects, and almost anything 

 of an edible nature they can find. 



The camp pet at this time was a young sloth (Choloepus 

 andinus). The slow-moving little beast reminded one of a 

 "Teddy Bear," and when it clambered among the branches 

 of a tree it always recalled to me Hudson's description to 

 the effect that he "hugged the branches as if he loved 

 them." Our pet had been brought in by a native hunter 

 who had shot the mother and found the young one clinging 

 to her long, gray hair. It was easy to handle owing to its 

 inactivity, but occasionally it struck viciously with its front 

 feet, each armed with two formidable claws, and also 

 snapped suddenly in an attempt to bite, its strong teeth 

 enabling it to inflict severe injury. It ate quantities of 

 tender green leaves at regular intervals, but it was always 

 necessary to first sprinkle them liberally with water and 



