COMMON SEAL. 203 



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 movements on land are extremely awkward, 

 and their hurry in endeavouring to escape when 

 approached affords an amusing sight, as they seem 

 to tumble about in a ludicrous manner, throwing 

 themselves headlong into the water from the rocks. 

 When 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, although killed, unless the 

 boat is quickly at the spot, they sink to the bottom, 

 young or lean individuals more rapidly than the 

 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 become attached 



