294 DISCOVERY REPORTS 



Many of the fights do not result in a decision: I have seen bulls fight almost to a 

 standstill without either giving in. In the breeding season the harem bulls are much 

 gashed about the face and neck, and the hair on those parts is usually matted with 

 blood (Plate III, fig. i). It would seem that the bulls are almost insensitive to pain, 

 for there is no flinching when an opponent takes hold, only an increase of rage. The 

 animals are amazingly quick in avoiding a bite. The combative aspect of the sexual 

 instinct would appear to be the strongest part of it — I have seen a male abandon coitus 

 in order to engage in a fight. 



The cows quarrel and snap among themselves a good deal when they are in the 

 harems, but this behaviour is suppressed as soon as possible by the harem bull. The 

 cows also show irritation towards strange pups. Pups do not very readily recognize 

 their own mothers, and if a cow receives too much attention from a strange pup she 

 may even grip it in her mouth and throw it from her. 



The pups themselves learn to snarl and bite at an early age, apart from their 

 play which, like that of the older sea lions, commonly takes the form of mock 

 combats. The immature animals are the most peaceable; it is common to find them 

 without a scar on the skin, a condition practically non-existent among adults of 

 either sex. 



Sea lions are definitely curious with regard to objects which are strange but do not 

 frighten them; to make a general statement, unmoving objects about their own 

 eye-level are much less frightening than those above. I have been more than once 

 embarrassed by the approach of sea lions when I have been sitting on the beach near 

 them. 



As to their timidity, on very little provocation, such as a sudden movement or the 

 appearance of a person above them, a herd of hundreds will fall into blind panic and 

 rush towards the sea — one animal takes fright and the others follow it and they do not 

 stop until they have gone some distance, usually pausing, however, when they reach 

 the water's edge. It is remarkable how quickly a stretch of beach will be denuded 

 of seal by a wave of fright passing along it (Plate III, fig. 4). This kind of panic is not 

 nearly so eff"ective among the breeding animals at the height of the season as it is at 

 other times. It is a little difficult to explain this timidity, since the animals have no 

 natural enemies and have probably never seen a human being ; one can understand it 

 well enough where the sea lions have been constantly visited and chased by visitors 

 "in order to see them run". The sea lion, when surprised, always jumps up with a 

 bellow of fright; the effect on an unprepared horse is remarkable and is one of the 

 reasons for the sea lion's unpopularity in the Falklands. 



Very slow movement on the part of a human being, although observed, does not 

 cause immediate alarm, only uneasiness, but this readily turns to panic. Timidity is 

 an obstacle to enumerations, for it necessitates long periods of stillness on the part of 

 the observer in order to permit the animals to settle down. 



It has sometimes occurred to me that the timidity may be due in part to inadequate 

 sight; Otoria always seems to peer at objects. The eyes are undoubtedly very sensitive. 



