6o THE BOOK OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM 



limbs, a broader nose, larger head, and is altogether a more heavily- 

 built animal than either of the two other species referred to. 



The usual colour of the adult animal is yellowish-grey above and 

 yellowish-white below. As the photograph well shows, the coat is 

 marked with irregular dark-brown or blackish spots. The young 

 ones are yellowish-white at birth, but soon get rid of their initial 

 coat, shedding the same within a few hours of being brought into 

 the world. Mr. Lydekker observes that this Seal possesses a wider 

 geographical range than its cousin, the Grey Seal, "occurring not 

 only in the North Atlantic, but also in the North Pacific, and 

 extending on the shores of both oceans to the Arctic regions, and 

 thus being doubtless circumpolar. In the Atlantic it is found, 

 though rarely, as far southwards as the Mediterranean, and on the 

 American side as far as New Jersey. In the Pacific its southern 

 limits appear to be marked on the Asiatic side of Kamschatka, and 

 on the American by Southern California. It is, moreover, by no 

 means confined to the coasts^ but ascends some of the larger tidal 

 rivers to a considerable distance from their mouths ; and it has been 

 known to pass up the St. Lawrence to the Great Lakes." 



Where the water is shallow and the haunt is sheltered, there one 

 may expect to find this animal, for it sticks to the same haunts, like 

 our bird friend the Robin, and does not, so far as is known, under- 

 take any seasonal migratory movements. 



It is not exclusively aquatic in its habits, for as each tide recedes 

 and leaves rocks and shore exposed, the Seal rests until the in- 

 coming tide summons it to the water again. It feeds exclusively 

 upon fish. 



In the early days of Summer the young are produced, and very 

 soon engage in graceful evolutions in the sea. This species makes 

 a very affectionate pet if properly treated, evincing much regard for 

 its owner, and following him about after the manner of a Dog. It 

 has, like its relatives, a curious love for music ; it is a most solicitous 

 creature in regard to the welfare of its progeny, and is in many 

 respects an intelligent inhabitant of our shallow seas with a life- 

 history as interesting as its winning ways are entertaining. 



DINGO. — We shall learn more of the Dingo at a later stage in our 

 story (see Chapter X), and it is only included here as a pet. Fig. 51 

 portrays a couple of Dingo pups which are sure to make an irresist- 

 ible appeal to young people. There is such an innocent playfulness 

 and desire for fun and mischief about puppies that it is small wonder 



