186 



THE VIRGINIAN OPOSSUM. 



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

 so as to bring the heavy ear to the ground. He will also 



clamber to some higher 



o 



branch, and hang down, 

 in search of the fruit 

 growing on the boughs 

 incapable of bearing his 

 weight. 



The quality for which 

 he is chiefly noted is 

 his habit of feigning 

 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, stealing 

 away through the under- 

 wood. Though so per- 



HUNTING THE OPOSSUM. fectly ^ ^^ ^ > pog _ 



suming," before attempting to practise its usual ruse it will 

 make every effort to escape from its pursuers. When chased 



