© H. R. Hewer 1974 The author asserts his moral rights to be identified as the author of this work

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      Source ISBN 9780007311118

      Ebook Edition © FEBRUARY 2019 ISBN: 9780007406463

      Version: 2019-02-13

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      EDITORS:

      Margaret Davies C.B.E. M.A. Ph.D.

      Sir Julian Huxley F.R.S. M.A. D.Sc.

      John Gilmour M.A. V.M.H.

      Kenneth Mellanby C.B.E. Sc.D.

      PHOTOGRAPHIC EDITOR:

      Eric Hosking F.R.P.S.

      The aim of this series is to interest the general reader in the wild life of Britain by recapturing the inquiring spirit of the old naturalists. The Editors believe that the natural pride of the British public in the native fauna and flora, to which must be added concern for their conservation, is best fostered by maintaining a high standard of accuracy combined with clarity of exposition in presenting the results of modern scientific research.

      CONTENTS

       COVER

       TITLE PAGE

COPYRIGHT

NOTE TO READERS

PLATES

FIGURES

EDITORS’ PREFACE

AUTHOR’S PREFACE

1. The Pinnipedia

       2. The grey seal – introductory

       3. The grey seal – age determination, longevity and maturity

       4. The grey seal – reproduction

       5. The grey seal – annual moult and spring behaviour

       6. The grey seal – feeding and food; pre-breeding assemblages

       7. The grey seal – the breeding rookery: cow and pup

       8. The grey seal – the breeding rookery: bulls, territory and mating

       9. The grey seal – moulters, dispersal, marking experiments and later movements

       10. The grey seal – population dynamics, mortality and pregnancy rates

       11. The common seal – introductory

       12. The common seal – reproduction, pup, moulting, food and numbers

       13. Other species of pinnipede

       14. Conservation of British seals

       PICTURE SECTION

       APPENDICES: A Classification of Pinnipedia

       B Breeding rookeries of grey seals

       C Life-tables for grey seal cows and bulls

       D Farne Island seal counts, 1956–1968

       E Research and world conservation of seals

       FOOTNOTES

       BIBLIOGRAPHY

       INDEX

       ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS