There are numerous species of opossum, most of them marsupial, in the
Brazils, where they take the place of the shrews of Europe. They are
very destructive to poultry. One of the species is aquatic, and has
webbed feet. The terrestrial species are nocturnal. They sleep during
the day in the hollows of trees, and come forth at night to prey on
birds in their roosting-places. Some live entirely on trees.