HABITS. 593 



handle it between its fore fiippers, and, with the united work 

 of its mouth . . . the wriggling prize is demolished and 

 devoured as quickly, and in much the same manner, as a squirrel 

 would eat a bur-covered nut. . . . 



" Leopard Seals are very easily captured when on shore, as a 

 single blow with a club upon the head will dispatch them. The 

 Indians about Puget Sound take them in nets made of large 

 hemp-line, using them in the same manner as seines, drawing 

 them around beaches when the rookery is on shore. They are 

 taken by the whites for their oil and skins, but the Indians and 

 Esquimaux make great account of them for food." He adds 

 that the natives of Puget Sound singe them before a fire until 

 the hair is consumed and the skin becomes crisp, when they 

 are cut up and cooked as best suits their taste. * 



The apparent fondness of this animal, in common with other 

 species of the family, for music, has been often noted. " During 

 a residence of some years in one of the Hebrides," writes the 

 Kev. Mr. Dunbar, "I had many opportunities of witnessing this 

 peculiarity ; and, in fact, could call forth its manifestation at 

 pleasure. In walking along the shore in the calm of a summer 

 afternoon, a few notes from my flute would bring half a score of 

 them within a few yards of me ; and there they would swim about, 

 with their heads above water, like so many black dogs, evi- 

 dently delighted with the sounds. For half an hour, or, indeed, 

 for any length of time I chose, I could fix them to the spot ; 

 and when I moved along the water- edge, 'they would follow me 

 with eagerness, like the Dolphins, who, it is said, attended 

 Arion, as if anxious to prolong the enjoyment. I have fre- 

 quently witnessed the same effect when out on a boat excursion. 

 The sound of the flute, or of a common fife, blown by one of the 

 boatmen, was no sooner heard, than half a dozen would start 

 up within a few yards, wheeling round us as long as the music 

 played, and disappearing, one after another, when it ceased." t 



Although, like other species of the family, evidently attracted 

 by musical sounds, it is perhaps questionable whether they are 

 not as much influenced by curiosity as by any real fondness 

 for music. Any unusual sounds, or unusual movements of any 

 kind, serve to strongly attract them . The writer last quoted states 

 that when he and his pupils were bathing in a small bay where 

 these Seals were abundant they would crowd around them in 



* Marine Mam., pp. 165-167. 

 tMacgillivray's British Quad., pp. 204-205. 



Misc. Pub. No. 12 38 



