4 SEALS OF THE SHETLAND ISLANDS. 



cur between the males ; they may be then often seen spring- 

 ing over the surface of the water in pursuit of each other. 

 They prefer the rocks or pebbly beaches to sand, on which to 

 repose, and where I have often seen a hundred at one time. 

 When the sea and weather are favourable, they appear to 

 spend the greater part of every ebb-tide on land. The 

 favourite rocks on which they rest are almost always observed 

 to have deep water round them, are comparatively clear 

 from sea- weed, and under water at full tide ; but, although 

 other situations have these requisites, they are still observed 

 to resort only to the same dormitories for time immemo- 

 rial. Accident probably originally led to these selections, 

 but now they are retained with all the jealousy of property, 

 — the useful law that determines the young of wild animals 

 to attach themselves to the locality where they have been 

 born and reared, and which habit strengthens, doubtless 

 decides the preference. Their time of ascending the rocks 

 is when the tide begins to fall, — the water must be smooth, 

 and the wind off shore ; the favourite seasons are late in 

 spring and early in autumn. The general resorts are among 

 the uninhabited islands, surrounded by rapid currents, but 

 not much exposed to the swell of the ocean. Their chief 

 food consists of small cod and young coal-fish, which there 

 occur in greatest numbers. When any thing is found in 

 the stomach it is remains of fish, though possibly they may 

 now and then be like the hog, omnivorous and feeding 

 on Crustacea, and perhaps^ci ,• to this the great length of 

 their intestines may have some relation. They are occa- 

 sionally subject to fatal Epizooty ; some years ago, 1822 I 

 think, many were found dead about the same time on different 

 parts of the coast ; the disease was swelling and inflamma- 

 tion of the throat ; — they were in good condition. This 

 disease was not observed to affect the Great Seal. 



