LETTER XXIII. 171 



whose young are born close to the water's edge, take to that element 

 immediately, and only suckle at low water upon the sea-weedy 

 rocks just appearing above the level of the sea. All the greater 

 seals seem to breed almost inland, and the young require some 

 weeks or even months to prepare them for the sea, during which 

 time they change their first coat, which is white and woolly, 

 almost lamb-like in appearance. 



Seals are now so scarce in all but the remotest spots that it is 

 worth while securing the attention of those few who have any 

 chance of visiting such localities to what we so particularly wish 

 to learn. As the general diffusion of guns within late years has 

 thinned, if not extinguished, many species of wild birds, as well 

 as beasts, so now the almost universal use of the rifle in its most 

 improved and deadly form will probably sound the requiem of 

 some more species of our indigenous fauna, or drive them from 

 our shores. 



The Great Grey Seal has black markings also, but not so 

 distinct or pronounced as those of the Harp Seal. 1 



1 We are ourselves doubtful of the perfect identification of this Harp Seal by Mr 

 Graham. Yet he was a good and accurate observer, and his argument about the 

 names is exactly what we have ourselves ascertained. Tapvaist gives its name to a 

 rock in the Sound of Harris in the Outer Hebrides — Scuir nan Tapvaist — ivhich, to 

 our certain knowledge, almost annually holds one pair of very large, very white, 

 very ancient Great Grey Seeds. The Great Grey Seal appears, in certain lights and 

 shadows, almost of a silvery white, a?id so, indeed, also does the common species 

 (vitulina). On this Scuir nan Tapvaist (elsewhere spoken of— vide Fauna of the 

 Outer Hebrides, p. 24,) — they have also, as certainly, bred. But again, on another 

 rock of the Sound of Harris, as related in the previous volume of this series already 

 quoted, Harvie-Brown is perfectly confident himself of his identification of a true 

 Harp Seal, killed by him, and fired at in the water, within a distance of five or ten 

 yards, but, alas! lost in a strong tide race, the harp marks across the back of the 

 adult being distinctly visible. — Ed. 



