for about five weeks. During this time they have grown rapidly, 

 their eyes have opened, and they are able to begin to care for them- 

 selves, somewhat. They return to their home before daylight for 

 rest and sleep in their mother's pouch; this they do for several 

 months. 



They spend the days in some secluded place, if pleasant, where 

 they will be in the sun, or if stormy in some sheltered place pro- 

 tected from the weather. 



At night they come out for their foraging for their necessary 

 food, which consists of a large variety, both vegetable and animal. 

 They are especially fond of the fruit of the persimmon tree, many 

 forms of insect life and small rodents, also the young and the eggs 

 of birds. 



The opossums are great climbers and are perfectly at home 

 among the tree tops. Their front feet are provided with five sharp 

 claws and on the hind feet the fifth toe is similar to the thumb of a 



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