420 



PRACTICAL ZOOLOGY 



a grass-lined, underground chamber at the end of a long burrow 

 in the bank, the entrance of which is under water. In this 

 chamber one or two eggs are laid and the young reared. 



Pouched Mammals. — These mammals occur mainly in Aus- 

 tralia and neighboring islands, but a few are natives of America. 

 Their method of reproduction is peculiar. The eggs are not laid, 



Fig. 285. — Opossum. (Photo, by Hegner.) 



but hatch within the mother's body and the young are born in an 

 immature condition. The mother transfers them with her lips 

 to a pouch on the abdomen, where they are fed upon milk from 

 the mammary glands. 



The opossum (Fig. 285) occurs in the Southern and Middle 

 States. It sleeps during the day, usually in a hollow tree or 

 stump, but is active at night, seeking insects, eggs, young birds 

 and mammals, berries, nuts, etc., which constitute its food. 

 When disturbed, the opossum frequently feigns death or " plays 

 possum." Two or three litters of from six to fourteen young 

 each are produced per year. The young remain with the mother 

 for about two months, at first in the pouch and later often riding 

 about on her back. Opossums are used as food in the south, and 

 when properly roasted, are excellent. 



