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tides, but surrouaded by a channel at all times of the tide, 

 the locality was an extremely suitable one for the Seal, an 

 animal which feeds on fish (which are always plentiful in a 

 river estuary), and is partial to an isolated situation, and is fond 

 of basking in the sun, conditions which, it will be seen, existed 

 and could be indulged in here in an emioent degree. 



Macgillivray, a reliable authority on British Quadrupeds, 

 describes the Common Seal as frequenting " estuaries, sea-lochs, 

 bays, and the channels between islands, where it may bo seen 

 occasionally protruding its head above the surface, sometimes 

 following a boat or vessel at a distance, but generally keeping 

 beyond reach of shot. It feeds exclusively on fishes, in pursuit 

 of which it can remain several minutes immersed. At low 

 water it often betakes itself to rocks or small islands, on which 

 it reposes until the return of the tide ; and I have seen droves 

 of twenty or more individuals thus basking in the sun. In 

 estuaries they sometimes repose on the sands, where they are 

 liable to be surprised, if the water be distant, for their move- 

 ments on land are extremely awkward, and their hurry in 

 endeavouring to escape affords an amusing sight, as they seem to 

 tumble about in a ludicrous manner, throwing themselves head- 

 long into the water from the rocks. Where there are caverns 

 on the coast, they find a more secure retreat in them, where, 

 if attacked, they can escape by diving. They are frequently 

 shot, either with ball or buck-shot ; but unless killed outright 

 are liable to be lost, as they dive, and are seldom seen again ; or, 

 altheugh killed, unless the boat is quickly at the spot, they 

 sink to the bottom, young and lean individuals more rapidly 

 than older and fatter. When attacked with sticks, while on 

 shore, they have been known to seize the weapon in their jaws 

 and carry it off; and they are more easily killed by a blow on 

 the muzzle than on the upper part of the head. 



Seals may sometimes be induced to come nearer a boat 

 by whistling, and they are said to be attracted by music, even 

 that of the bagpipe. In a state of confinement they are gentle, 

 and, if obtained young, manifest considerable docility, and be- 

 •come attached to their master. In their natural state they do 

 not seem to exhibit the intelligence which they might be in- 

 ferr&,^ to possess from the great size of their brain, and the pre- 

 dominance of their cranial over their facial region ; but their 

 mode of life renders oppoitunities of observing their habits rare. 

 They, however, show the social propensity, for Avhen their 

 labours are over they repose in company, and vast multitudes 

 are sometimes seen ashore on remote islands." 



