THE HARP OR GREENLAND SEAL 



The young, at first white, gradually acquire the adult pelage, which, 

 according to Mr. Millais, is not attained till the fifth year. 



The Harp Seal inhabits the North Pacific and North Atlantic, and 

 in spring is very abundant on the ice-fields north-east of Newfoundland, 

 where they breed in large herds and afterwards move north to spend the 

 summer in Greenland. 



They are also found about the west coast of Greenland in autumn, 

 and in summer are common among the floating ice around Spitzbergen 

 and Jan May en. 



This Seal sometimes visits the British coasts in summer, the first having 

 been identified in 1836, when two were obtained in the Severn. Several 

 more have been recorded from time to time, including a fine adult male, 

 now in the Perth Museum, which was shot by Mr. Kennedy while out 

 punt-shooting in Invergowrie Bay, Carse o' Gowrie, Perthshire. 



A good many other examples of the Harp Seal have been seen about 

 the Scottish coasts and islands, while it is unlikely that any mistake could 

 be made in identifying the species, because the clearly defined markings 

 of the adult male may readily be recognised at a distance. 



In habits the Harp Seal is migratory and gregarious. Incredible 

 numbers collect at certain seasons among the ice floes and are killed in 

 thousands by professional seal hunters. The young are born on the ice 

 in March, and when strong enough follow their parents in their migratory 

 movements. In spite of the havoc caused by the sealers the Harp Seal 

 is apparently as numerous as ever, according to information supplied to 

 Mr. Millais in Newfoundland. The food consists chiefly of cod and other 

 fish. 



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