Evening star., 1949-03-25
This and That
BIZ Charles z. Trdce,UeI
"DERWOOD, Md.


Dear Sir:
Il have a small board attached to the
front window of my living room on which
there are always grain and suet for the birds.
Last night glanced out of the window and
there daintily biting off suet with the sharp
est-looking teeth was 'poSsum with very
white face and much more white than gray
fur on the body. and such long tail.
'"He showed no fear Of me or of the
bright electric light shining right in his eyes.
Remembering your advice to treat the wild
creatures with kindness, which falls in
exactly with my own ideas. anyhow, let
him eat his FILL
Then when I saw my half-grown cat on
the ground, anxious to Jump in the window,
I shook a newspaper at the 'posSum
He jumped down and slowly trotted
toward the back porch. with the black
kitten following.
Every few steps they both stopped and
looked at each other.
In a few minutes the cat came back
to the window. SO I suppose there was no
argument.
Which do you think was afraid of the
others
Isn't 'possum usually mixed gray and
white? Very truly, M B. B."
Our common opoSSum, the only marsupial
found In the United States. has long gray
hair and a long naked tail.
Now and then one sees an albino or white
form, and sometimes posSum with more
white than gray, although possessing both
colors.
The 'possum is about the size of a house
cat, but much bolder, and with far longer
and sharper teeth. Though not particularly
a fighter, its teeth can deliver a terrible
wound, and it would have no difficulty in
whipping a small cat.
There could be no question that it would
be the cat. even a full grown one, which
would be afraid Of the 'possum.
Young cats are very curious, and would
follow after possum, fascinated by the
sight, but scarcely ever would attack.
An old grown tom might-but shortly
would find out his mistake.
The cat is curious animal, and both
would intrigue it.
The wild, gamey smell of the 'possum must
scent up an entire neighborhood, as far as a
cat or dog is concerned.
While the possum is noctural, and seen
mostly at night, it sometimes wanders
around on cloudy days, sometimes even in
sunshine.
It is lured to bird-feeding stations mostly
times it will accept pieces of bread from
the hand, but the donor should be very
careful, for this creature has nasty bite
If it wants to deliver it.
In handing the 'possum food, care should
be taken to make no sudden motions. but
to use large slice. and to thrust it forward
slowly. When the bread is accepted. the
hand may be withdrawn, but still slowly.
In feeding it is omniverous. 1t will eat
young corn. young and eggs of birds nest
ing on the ground, mice, moles, young rab
bits, even chickens.
An important part of its diet is insects,
as strange as this may seem, considering
its size. some 30 inches long. with long
tail
1t is. as most people know. very fond Of
persimmons.
In Arlington. Va. recently. an almost
white opossum appeared at a feeding station
early in the morning.
The whole neighborhood turned out to
see him. but he was frightened away when
the discoverer, trying to make late-comer
see him in tree, waved his arms in the
beasts direction.
This sudden motion frightened the animal,
which made of, through the woods and was
lost to sight
Could 1t have been the Derwood specimen?