BRITISH MAMMALS 



fore-flippers, or a dark form, chiefly composed of shades of grey, blotched 

 and spotted with black. 



A characteristic feature in nearly every example of the Grey Seal, 

 as Mr. Millais points out, is the pale grey colour of the crown of the 

 head, which occurs in every type. 



When born the young are at first pure white, and pass through 

 various stages of colour till they gradually assume the adult coat. 



The average length of the Grey Seal is about 8 feet, but some 

 reach 9 or 9^ feet, measured from nose to end of tail. 



The female measures 6 feet or thereabouts in length. The head is 

 flatter, proportionately much longer and more like that of a dog than in 

 the Common Seal, while the animal is not nearly as tameable and intelli- 

 gent as the latter ; the countenance, especially in the old males, suggesting 

 a savage and morose disposition. On the other hand. Dr. Edmonston 

 found a young one of this species extremely gentle and affectionate. 



The Grey Seal inhabits the North Atlantic, but is only sparsely 

 distributed on the American coasts and apparently does not go farther 

 south than Nova Scotia. 



It is more abundant along the northern coasts of Europe, yet does 

 not appear to penetrate far northwards, chiefly fi-equenting the shores 

 of the North Sea, Baltic, and Gulf of Bothnia. 



It is found in Iceland, the Faroes, Scandinavia and Northern Germany 

 and along the coasts of the British Islands. 



In England it is rather rare, but a fair- sized colony inhabits the 

 Scilly Islands, a few still exist in the Fames, Northumberland, and from 

 time to time it appears on other parts of our shores, as in Wales, where 

 some are found on the coast of Pembrokeshire. 



In Scotland it is much more common, especially on the north-western 

 coast and islands, the Hebrides, Orkneys, and Shetlands. 



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