THE GREY SEAL 



This species is also plentiful in Ireland, where it haunts the sea-caves 

 on many parts of the coast, chiefly along the western side. 



The Grey Seal is most at home among the rough and troubled 

 waters of our outlying islands where the sea is seldom still. There he 

 can bask undisturbed on the shelving rocks or retire into the fastness of 

 some cavern under water. 



The tailpiece sketch represents a typical haunt of this Seal, and was 

 done from sketches taken a few years ago on Rosvean, Scilly, by means 

 of a field-glass, through the kindness of the late Mr. Dorrien-Smith. 

 This Seal-haunted rock lies far out to sea, fully exposed to the Atlantic 

 rollers and is difiicult to approach except in calm weather. On peeping 

 over the high boulder-like rocks near the favourite landing-place of the 

 animals I had three or four in full view, lying basking in the sunshine, 

 but always watchful and ready to slip under water at the least suspicion 

 of danger. When ashore taking their ease they appreciate a slight 

 hollow in the rock and will often turn over and change their position 

 to ensure more comfort. On the island of Handa, Sutherland, I have 

 watched for an hour of more a party of these large Seals resting on an 

 isolated rock below the cliffs where the Fulmar Petrels and Guillemots 

 breed. This was in the month of May when small parties will bask 

 peaceably in company, but in the breeding season, later on in October, 

 the big males fight fiercely and are generally much scarred as a result 

 of these combats. Sometimes a male will occupy a sea-cave with a 

 single female, but they are just as often polygamous. When born, 

 the young are left on shore by the mother, who returns regularly to 

 suckle them for the first few weeks till they take to the water. 



Few animals are more difficult to obtain than the Grey Seal, owing 

 to the stormy seas with treacherous currents where he makes his 



home. 



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