408 THE HARP SEAL. 
before he reaches the limits of their home. Perhaps these ebullitions of regard are not totally 
personal to the keeper, but are partly caused by certain pieces of fish which he carries with 
him. As soon as they receive the expected gift, they seize it between their teeth, and unless 
they happen to be hungry, become very playful, and execute all manner of aquatic gambols 
before they eat it, much after the manner of a cat with a mouse. 
' The specific name of vitulina, or calf-like, has been given to the Common Seal, not because 
it presents a calf-like aspect, but because its voice is thought to bear some resemblance to the 
plaintive cry of a calf when separated from its mother. 
The Common Seal, known in all the northern regions of both continents, was formerly 
quite abundant along the Atlantic shores as far south as Long Island and the Chesapeake Bay. 
The rocks in New York Harbor called Robbins’ Reef, were so named by the early Dutch 
HARP SEAL, OR ATAK.—Phoca grwnilandica. 
settlers, because they were the resort of numerous Seals, the term robbin being derived from 
the Dutch, meaning Seal. 
Seals have been kept in the New York Aquarium, and have been taught to perform many 
feats of intelligence. Their large round heads and beautiful eyes are charming features. 
This Seal is seldom seen now south of Cape Cod. In Lynn Harbor, Mass., a few yet live 
on the ‘‘ Lobster Rocks.”’ 
THE Harp Seat derives its name from the very conspicuous manner in which its fur is 
colored, 
The general hue of the Harp Seal’s coat is a whitish-gray, and upon that delicate tint are 
drawn two broad, semicircular bands of a deep black, their points nearly touching each other, 
and extending from the shoulders nearly to the root of the tail. These dark markings are 
thought to bear some resemblance to an ancient harp, and have given rise to the popular name 
by which this species is designated. The muzzle and fore part of the head is also black. This 
peculiar coloring, which seems to distinguish this animal from any other species of Seal, is, 
however, never seen except in the adult animal, and is not considered to be perfect until the 
creature has attained its fifth year. Very many animals are variously marked according to 
their ages, sex, and time of year, but there are few which undergo more decided changes than 
the Harp Seal ; changes so unexpected that they have caused the animal to be described under 
several different titles according to the particular coat which it happened at that time to wear. 
