408 



THE HARP SEAL. 



before lie 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 



HAKP SEAL, OE ATAK.— Phoca gramlandica. 



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 Seal 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 bladk. 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. 



