Whistling for Seals.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 25 July 1890, Page 2

Whistling for Seals.

Ix a note in the American Naturalist^ Mr F. F. Payne, of Toronto, records an interesting fact which often came under his n -tice during a prolonged stay at Hudson's Strait. "Here," he says, " the Eskimo might often be seen lying at full loogth at the edge of an ice-floe, and although no seals could be seen, they persistently whi .fed in a low note similar to that often u- - ed iu ca'ling tame pigeons or. if words can express my meaning, like a plainf've phe*ew, few-few, the first uote being pro ouged at loist three seeonds. If there" were any seals within, hearing distance, they were invariably attracted to the spot and it was amusing to seo them lifting themselves as high aa possible out of the water, nnd slowly shaking their heads, as though highly de" lighted with the music. Hrre they would remain for some time, until one, perhaps mure ventursome than the rest, would come within striking^ distance ofthe Eskimo, who starting to liis fo«i frith gun ov harpooii", ■v -Mild oiV'i .hang. the. *,al.'s f.unrof joy to one of sorrow, the others making off as fast as possible. The whistling had to b<* continuous, and was more effective if performed by another Eskimo a short distance back from the ooe lying motionless at the edge of the ice. I may add that the experiment was often tried by myself wifch th* same r«_^l]t. ,,