SEALS, HARES, AND RABBITS 39 



their fore-limbs, but the rest of their progress has to be a clumsy wriggle. 

 They live in colonies, and are " sociable " animals. When at ease ashore 

 they grunt like so many contented pigs a sound exchanged for a snort 

 or bark or cough of defiance when courting or playing. The babies bleat 

 like lambs. 



Seals are attracted by sound, and will follow a boat where music is being 

 played 



" Rude Heiskar's seal through surges dark 

 Will long pursue the minstrel's bark." (Scott.) 



A quaint old writer speaks of the seals swimming straight to shore when the 

 church bells of Hoy (Orkney) were rung,* and they are easily tamed, and 

 become as attached to their human masters as dogs. 



The skin, with its glossy, silken hair, is of some value for motorists and 

 other creatures I 



The food of the seal consists of fish of every sort, including shellfish and 

 starfish, varied sometimes with sea-gull or other bird. 



2. The Grey Seal (Halichcerus grypus). This species is twice as large as 

 the Common Seal, a male measuring often 9 or 10 feet. In colour, as its name 

 implies, it becomes a beautiful silver-grey when full grown. 



The young are born later than those of the Common Seal, in the autumn, 

 the mother generally finding some cave or grotto for her home. The young 

 cubs do not take to the water like the Common Seals, but when some six weeks 

 old have to be taught to swim by their mother not without some reluctance 

 on the youngsters' part. 



The mother will protect her young with ferocity, and will attack an enemy 

 or an intruder. When she leaves her babe ashore, the latter is always silent ; 

 and its sallow- white fur and large black eyes form a splendid protection, 

 rendering it almost indistinguishable from the boulders and whitened rocks 

 scattered on the shore. 



The Grey Seal is found on the coasts of Ireland, and the Hebrides and 

 western islands of Scotland, but is practically never seen in English waters. 

 There are some famous seal caves on Achill Island. 



Order: RODENTIA ("Gnawing Mammals ") Hares, Rabbits, etc. 



In this order, notice that the canine teeth are completely absent (see page 

 23, note), the incisors are specially developed, and the mouth is really 

 divided into two, there being between the entrance and the back a narrow 

 passage where the palate is covered with hair. This prevents the animal from 

 swallowing any material it is gnawing which is unsuitable for food. 



i. The Common Babbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Though hares and rab- 

 bits are so much alike in general appearance, they belong to different genera, 



* Quoted by Sir H. Johnston in British Mammals. 



