Collins New Naturalist Library

Collins New Naturalist Library
H. R. Hewer

A comprehensive account of the seal’s migratory patterns, methods of hunting for food, movements and patterns of reproduction.While seals are a perennial favourite among visitors to zoos for their playful and engaging behaviour, less is known about their actions in natural habitats. Based on extensive field observations, this thoroughly illustrated volume in The New Naturalist Series is one of the most authoritative studies of its kind. The late Professor Hewer shows how recent discoveries for determining the age of seals have greatly contributed to research in the subject and he presents a comprehensive account of the seal’s migratory patterns, methods of hunting for food, movements and patterns of reproduction. As the large colonies of seals indigenous to British waters constitute and important segment of the world’s seal population, Professor Hewer’s findings will be helpful to all interested in seal behaviour, and conservation.Professor Hewer researched seal behaviour for over twenty years, did extensive field work in seals and published several articles on his findings. He was Emeritus Professor at the University of London and served with the British government’s Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Food.

COPYRIGHT (#ulink_25347cc6-9d89-53c2-ab05-5e922ef91608)

William Collins

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First published 1974

This eBook edition published by William Collins in 2019

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

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

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Source ISBN 9780007311118

Ebook Edition © FEBRUARY 2019 ISBN: 9780007406463

Version: 2019-02-13

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Page numbers taken from the following print edition: ISBN 9780007311118

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 (#u78dfc492-ea83-5668-be38-60443a12e7db)

TITLE PAGE (#u00dd24d4-9c60-5b70-b837-cb9da92d39e0)

COPYRIGHT (#ulink_f27f2bb7-398f-5f9e-ba2d-f573cf1b7acc)

NOTE TO READERS (#ulink_adffeadd-361d-5917-a833-9b650bc48b64)

PLATES (#ulink_b9d5d2c4-94fa-5a16-a9c8-7315c855c319)

FIGURES (#ulink_315576eb-e44f-5c2b-9d06-7e43131afc43)

EDITORS’ PREFACE (#ulink_3270bb3b-11d6-59bf-b408-875f055b1c63)

AUTHOR’S PREFACE (#ulink_ddc49913-1ba5-5093-9190-eef6d351bc60)

1. The Pinnipedia (#ulink_bdc245dc-f8a3-5ca3-b9ee-e68e7d1f597b)

2. The grey seal – introductory (#ulink_f899965b-5d85-56cf-a731-5cbd3ba2c442)

3. The grey seal – age determination, longevity and maturity (#litres_trial_promo)

4. The grey seal – reproduction (#litres_trial_promo)

5. The grey seal – annual moult and spring behaviour (#litres_trial_promo)

6. The grey seal – feeding and food; pre-breeding assemblages (#litres_trial_promo)

7. The grey seal – the breeding rookery: cow and pup (#litres_trial_promo)

8. The grey seal – the breeding rookery: bulls, territory and mating (#litres_trial_promo)

9. The grey seal – moulters, dispersal, marking experiments and later movements (#litres_trial_promo)

10. The grey seal – population dynamics, mortality and pregnancy rates (#litres_trial_promo)

11. The common seal – introductory (#litres_trial_promo)