DIDKLPHY8 IMPAVIDA. 
f)2G 
animal than in that described by myself, but I see no reason 
to doubt the specific identity of D. ornata and D . Derbiana. 
Didelphys impart da. 
Di/lelphys impavida. TsCHUDi, Fauna Peruana, Pt. 4, p. 149 ; Pt. 2, PI. 9. 
Fur moderate as to length ; on the upper parts of the body 
reddish brown, suffused with black ; on the sides of the 
body of a fulvous yellow, and on the under parts white; 
eves encircled with black, the black prolonged in front 
almost to the extremity of the muzzle; a longitudinal pale 
stripe on the forehead : tail grey-brown, and with small 
silvery white hairs springing from between the scales. Female 
with abdominal folds of skin. 
Inches. IJnc*. 
Length from tip of nose to root of tail ... 6 3 
41 of tail. .. 5 4 
14 from nose to ear ... ... ... 1 6 
44 of ear . 9 
Like others of its group, this species is nocturnal, and 
during the day remains hidden in holes in the earth, or under 
the roots of trees. The strong light of the sun. Dr. Tscliudi 
states, so dazzles this animal, that it is easily captured. Of 
the seven species of Didelphvs noticed in Peru by the author 
just mentioned, six were met with in the thickest forests, and 
one in the open fields: several live exclusively on vegetable 
substances, and prefer the fruits of the bananas to all others. 
The D. noctivaga was frequently caught in the huts on the 
bananas hung up to ripen. By using a dark lantern a strong 
light was suddenly thrown upon them when committing their 
nightly attacks upon the fruits in question, and this so 
stupified them that they were readily captured by the hand. 
The 1). impavida also frequently visited the huts of the 
