66 The Opossum 



"coon" is fully up to the trick, and few deceiving 

 opossums escape him. I have found the ruse of 

 "playing 'possum" to be specific rather than general 

 among the species. Those that are partly tamed seem 

 never to practice it. 



The home of the opossum may be in a hollow tree, 

 a crevice in the rocks, or under a building. The 

 hollow tree, however, seems to be preferred. The 

 nest itself is composed of dried grass and leaves. 



The opossum usually comes forth from his retreat 

 at the close of day, wandering about in search of 

 food ; he is not strictly nocturnal, however, for cloudy 

 days will often find him abroad, and I have seen him 

 in the bright sunshine. 



His menu is varied, but you may be sure it is a 

 full one when it can be obtained. It consists chiefly 

 of insects, small reptiles, young birds, and birds' 

 eggs. Occasionally he dines from the poultry yard, 

 and here he shows a decided preference for young 

 chickens. Vegetable food enters but little into his 

 bill of fare, although he is very fond of ripe fruits 

 of various kinds. 



The young, varying in number from six to twelve, 

 are born in a very immature state blind, hairless, 

 and exceedingly small, in fact weighing but a few 

 grains. The mother places the young in a pouch, 



