Evening star., 1949-11-28
This and That
By Charles E. TraceveU
st1xyCrrrDYv n6d

Dear Sir: 7t-1. q
1.-TWO years ago I wrote to you telling Of
our baby possum which was visiting our
bird feeding shelf at nights. That winter
he came several nights week and became
quite tame. He would rub his little nose on
the window wherever ! would place my
finger.
Last winter he didn't visit us at all and
we were quite distressed about tt imagining
all the unhappy things which might have
happened to him.
However, we are once more being favored
by his presence this year. He showed up
first one night several weeks ago when my
husband and were having late snack IN
the kitchen.
my husband suddenly said, Don't move
now, but I think our friend is back
and sure enough, we quietly watched and
soon saw the pink nose and fingers stretch
. ing from the evergreen to the shelf.
There he was, all right. but about three
times the size he was two years ago.
Z -
"He definitely is the same Possie as he
was, not bit afraid Of u.s. He rested be-
tween courses in the roof of the shelf as
before.
Next day, got in goodly supply of his
favorite suet, and he disposes OF quantities
Of it each time he comes.
HE invariably comes in the rain. and I
recall how he came in the deepest snow when
he was so small.
what nice little fellow he is, and we
are so happy he has come back to his child
hood home.
II wonder where he was last year, but Of
course will never know.
Sincerely. p. H. H." ..
Return Of q favorite animal, whether pet
or wild, is always source Of rejoicing.
We will never forget. although 1t happened
many years ago. the evening return OF Jack
Spratt, the cat.
He came down Esstee alley In the twilight.
to the cheers Of gathered families.
The word went along, and ready hands
were there to pick up and bring in the wan
derer of two weeks. his head bloody but
unbowed.
Such thing is always thrill.
Certainly an oposSum Is one OF our best
animals.
Respect for it grows with acquaintance.
An individualist, true American, II there
ever was, Is Old Man Possum.
He Is clean, capable and beautiful
creature, although the latter may not be
realized at first, so different is this one, with
his pointed white face, his deep-set eyes and
his long naked tail.
The little hands" or front paws draw the
admiration Of all who see them closely.
They are able to grasp as well as any
monkey Cor human), and serve to handle
such diverse foods as corn on the cob and
chunks Of suet.
Bread and suet make most acceptable gifts
to this wanderer.
There are two young possums that come
every night to family in Georgetown, in
what may be called the very heart OF the
city.
Their visits have been SO regular that the
folks there are building possum house for
them during the winter.
These people are cat lovers, and have q
houseful, but their hearts and door are al
ways open to the forest-wanderers.
Persons who feed the birds, especially ut
their windows should keep on the watch for
opossums.
Extensive building operations in nearby
Virginia and Maryland have disturbed the
haunts Of many Of these animals, and have
cut down on their food supplies.
Animal common sense, Of which they have
plenty, pushes them into the city, where they
find food to their liking at bird feeding sta
tions.
Those who put out slices OF bread and suet
toward dark are more likely to have pos
sums. Most OF them are so tame that they
viii take suet from the hand. Being true
nocturnal animals, the possums come only at
night, as rule. Even f1ashlight turned
on them viii not frighten them. Dogs are
bit wary Of them, and as for house cats.
those practical fellows simply ignore them