T H E O P O S S U M.
T H I S singular animal is found more or less abundant in most parts of
the Southern, Western, and Middle States of the Union. It is the Didelphis
virginiana of P E N N A N T , HARLAN, and other authors who have given
some account of its habits; but as none of them, so far as I know, have
illustrated its propensity to dissimulate, and as I have had opportunities
of observing its manners, I trust that a few particulars of its biography
will prove amusing.
The opossum is fond of secluding itself during the day, although it by
no means confines its predatory rangings to the night. Like many other
quadrupeds which feed principally on flesh, it is also both frugivorous and
herbivorous, and, when very hard pressed by hunger, it seizes various
kinds of insects and reptiles. Its gait, while travelling, and at a time
when it supposes itself unobserved, is altogether ambling: in other words,
it, like a young foal, moves the two legs of one side forward at once.
The Newfoundland dog manifests a similar propensity. Having a constitution
as hardy as that of the most northern animals, it stands the coldest
weather, and does not hybernate, although its covering of fur and hair
may be said to be comparatively scanty even during winter. The defect,
however, seems to be compensated by a skin of considerable thickness, and
a general subcutaneous layer of fat. Its movements are usually rather
slow, and as it walks or ambles along, its curious prehensile tail is carried
just above the ground, its rounded ears are directed forward, and at almost
every step its pointed nose is applied to the objects beneath it in
order to discover what sort of creatures may have crossed its path. Methinks
I see one at this moment slowly and cautiously trudging over the
melting snows by the side of an unfrequented pond, nosing as it goes for
the fare its ravenous appetite prefers. Now it has come upon the fresh
track of a grouse or hare, and it raises its snout and snuffs the keen air.
At length it has decided on its course, and it speeds onward at the rate of
a man's ordinary walk. It stops and seems at a loss in what direction to
go, for the object of its pursuit has either taken a considerable leap, or
has cut backwards before the opossum entered its track. It raises itself up,
stands for a while on its hind feet, looks around, snuffs the air again, and
then proceeds ; but now, at the foot of a noble tree, it comes to a full
THE OPOSSUM. 455
stand. It walks round the base of the huge trunk, over the snow-covered
roots, and among them finds an aperture, which it at once enters. Several
minutes elapse, when it re-appears, dragging along a squirrel already
deprived of life, with which in its mouth it begins to ascend the tree.
Slowly it climbs. The first fork does not seem to suit it, for perhaps it
thinks it might there be too openly exposed to the view of some wily foe,
and so it proceeds, until it gains a cluster of branches intertwined with
grape-vines, and there composing itself, it twists its tail round one of the
twigs, and with its sharp teeth demolishes the unlucky squirrel, which it
holds all the while with its fore paws.
The pleasant days of spring have arrived, and the trees vigorously
shoot forth their buds; but the opossum is almost bare, and seems nearly
exhausted by hunger. It visits the margins of creeks, and is pleased to
see the young frogs, which afford it a tolerable repast. Gradually the
poke-berry and the nettle shoot up, and on their tender and juicy stems
it gladly feeds. The matin calls of the Wild Turkey Cock delight the
ear of the cunning creature, for it well knows that it will soon hear the
female, and trace her to her nest, when it will suck the eggs with delight.
Travelling through the woods, perhaps on the ground, perhaps aloft, from
tree to tree, it hears a cock crow, and its heart swells as it remembers the
savoury food on which it regaled itself last summer in the neighbouring
farm-yard. With great care, however, it advances, and at last conceals
itself in the very hen-house.
Honest farmer! why did you kill so many crows last winter? aye,
and ravens too ? Well, you have had your own way of it; but now hie
to the village and procure a store of ammunition, clean your rusty gun,
set your traps, and teach your lazy curs to watch the opossum. There
it comes! The sun is scarcely down, but the appetite of the prowler is
keen ; hear the screams of one of your best chickens that has been seized
by him ! The cunning beast is off with it, and nothing now can be done,
unless you stand there to watch the fox or the owl, now exulting in the
thought that you have killed their enemy and your own friend, the poor
crow. That precious hen under which you last week placed a dozen eggs
or so, is now deprived of them. The opossum, notwithstanding her angry
outcries and rufflings of feathers, has removed them one by one; and now,
look at the poor bird as she moves across your yard ; if not mad, she is at
least stupid, for she scratches here and there, calling to her chickens all
the while. All this comes from your shooting crows. Had you been