I 
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, fiilly exposed to the Atlantic 
rollers and is difficult 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 or 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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