THE SOUTHERN SEA LION 293 



Although the sea lions return to the same rookery every year the precise sense of 

 direction in the water is not infallible. I have seen a party of cows come ashore on a 

 rookery and begin bellowing for their pups; but when they received no answer they 

 returned to the water and swam along the shore peering at the land as they did so. 

 After they had gone several hundred yards they came to the next rookery and there 

 they went ashore and remained, having obviously made a mistake in the first place. 

 It is suggested below, in writing of dead pups, that cows may lose altogether the places 

 where their pups have been left. 



Otaria shows little fear of surf and is frequently seen swimming and playing in heavy 

 breakers close to some cliff-foot or off a favourite beach ; the movement of the water 

 perhaps stirs up the food animals. The species is able, however, to recognize the 

 impossibility of landing in breakers if they are too heavy; I have seen a sea lion come 

 up to a rock in bad weather and after inspection decide that landing was not feasible 

 and go off to an easier place. 



The four principal features of the character of Otaria byronia are gregariousness, 

 pugnacity, curiosity and timidity. The first two of these, and indeed the last also, appear 

 rather contradictory, but they are all present nevertheless. 



Otaria is very seldom found singly, generally in little groups of two or three if there 

 are few animals present ; but if there are many most of them will be seen lying in heaps 

 and a few odd individuals by themselves. When a sea lion comes up from the water 

 it will always make for any others which can be found and settle itself beside them. 

 The cows, pups and immature animals lie in any position on top of one another ; but 

 the adult males, probably on account of their large size, usually lie side by side and 

 sometimes use one another as pillows. Outside the breeding season a good deal of 

 time is spent in sleeping in this social fashion, the animals waking only to change their 

 positions or to scratch themselves with the three long claws of the hind flippers, a 

 proceeding in which they take pleasure. Several days may be spent in this manner and 

 parties of seal may often be found asleep half a mile from the sea. 



The adult males are not ferociously quarrelsome except in the breeding season, when 

 they display great animosity to one another. Towards man their attitude varies. Some 

 become uneasy when approached ; but others not only stand their ground resolutely, 

 but even become definitely aggressive, making short charges and emitting loud coughs 

 of rage. These animals can generally be avoided by running away, since the harem 

 bulls will not abandon their stations; but bulls which have no cows will sometimes 

 pursue farther than one expects. 



The actual fights between the bulls are usually short and accompanied by a great 

 deal of noise and clashing of teeth ; the movement is very fast and the general effect is 

 that of a dog fight on a grand scale. At times one or both of the combatants secures 

 a hold in his adversary's neck and then each seal pushes against the other's neck and 

 breast until strength and weight tell. The defeated animal flees as fast as he can, 

 pursued by the victor, who endeavours to inflict further damage, particularly on the 

 axilla where the skin is thin — wounds on the back and flanks are fairly common. 



