Automata Clown and Lion Sea Acrobatics

You stick your finger in the hole and turn, the sea lions' heads bob forward and back as they wiggle their flippers. The upside-down clown in the middle swings from side to side, like a metronome. Though the circus ball doesn't quite reach the noses of the sea lions, it comes near enough that you get the idea that they are tossing it back and forth. The seals are cute, but the clown bothers me. Why is the clown holding up the ball? Why is he upside down?​