io6 



MAMMALIA. 



This species, like most of the Seal kind, feeds chiefly upon fish, 

 squids, shrimps, and the like. They sometimes prove a great nui- 

 sance to the fisherman, by robbing his nets of the salmon and other 

 fish that they happen to contain. They have also been observed to 

 catch sea birds while swimming by seizing them from below. 



The Harbor Seal, when taken young, is easily domesticated, and 

 soon becomes very tame and fond of its master. It is a very intelli- 

 gent animal, and may be taught many things. It is said to be par- 

 ticularly fond of music. 



Mr. Allen quotes the following from the pen of Dr. Edmonston : 

 "The young ones are easily domesticated, and display a great deal 

 of sagacity. One in particular became so tame that it lay along the 

 fire among the dogs, bathed in the sea, and returned to the house, 

 but having found the way to the byres, used to steal there unob- 

 served and suck the cows."''' 



These Seals make a variety of noises. Their most characteristic 

 cry is a sad, plaintive moan, or a prolonged, dismal howl. When a 

 number unite, as is commonl)' the case, in a doleful chorus the ef- 

 fect is most depressing. Last summer (in [uly, 1882), when befogged 

 off the Mingan Islands, I on several occasions observed this per- 

 formance. It seemed like the lament of a doomed race, bewailing 

 an inevitable fate, and bemoaning, in solemn requiem, the loss of 

 former comrades. * 



This mournful cadence is usually executed in the night-time, and 

 the darkness certainly does not detract from the general melancholy 

 of the effect. The cold, bleak shores, too, lend an additional element 

 of cheerlessness to the scene. However, it must be remembered 

 that the deep-drawn sighs, the woe-begone moans, and the chorus 

 that suggests a dirge, may all, for aught we know, be expressions of 

 joy and contentment; for it is the impression produced upon us that 

 is melancholy and sad. So little do we compreiiend the language of 

 our inferiors. 



* Monograph of Nortli American Pinnipeds, iSSo, p. 594. 



[From Trans. I, inn. .Soc. N. Y., \'ol. I, Nov., 18S2 Paging not cbangetl.] 



