MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. 07 



Wherever a long continuous shore line is occupied as a breeding- 

 rookery, neutral passages are set apart at convenient distances through 

 which the younger seals may pass from the water to the Lip'uiiil and 

 return unmolested. Often a continuous line moving in single file may 

 be seen for hours together going from the water to the upland, or the 

 reverse, as the case may he. When suddenly disturbed while sleeping 

 on the upland by an attempt of an animal to cross the rookery at any 

 other place, a general engagement ensues, which often results in the 

 death or serious crippling of the combatants. After the females have 

 arrived at the rookeries, many of them, as well as their pups, are tram- 

 pled to death in these struggles. 



Constant care is also necessary lest thoughtless persons incautiously 

 approach the breeding-grounds, as the stampede of the. seals that would 

 result therefrom always destroys many of the young. 



The old males are denominated by the natives Seacutch (married 

 seals). These welcome the females on their arrival, and watch over and 

 protect them and their }'Oung until the latter are large enough to be 

 left to the care of their mothers and the younger males. 



Those under six years old are not able to maintain a place on the 

 rookery, or to keep a harem, and these are denominated HoUuschuck 

 (bachelors). These two classes of males, with the full-grown females 

 termed Mothu (mothers), form the three classes that participate in the 

 duties of reproduction. 



By the first to the middle of April the snow has melted from the 

 shore and the drift ice from the north has all passed. Soon after this 

 period, a few old veteran male seals make their appearance in the water 

 near the island, and after two or three days' reconnoissance venture on to 

 the shore and examine the rookeries, carefully smelling them. If the 

 examination is satisfactory, after a day or two a few climb the slopes 

 and lay with their heads erect listening. At this time, if the wind blows 

 from the village towards the rookeries, all fires are extinguished and 



of the absorbents lias almost smoothed the splintered edges of the bones. Inside of the 

 wound of the zygoma was found the piece of lead which had caused it, and which was 

 at once recognized, from certain peculiarities of form, as one which had been fired, 

 without fatal effect, at a sea lion, on the same rocks, in the summer of 1854. We have 

 thus a demonstration," Dr Ayres continues. " that these huge seals return, in some 

 instances at least, year after year, to the same localities. They leave the Farallones in 

 November and return in May, being absent about six months. How far they migrate 

 during that interval we have at present no means of determining." — j. a. a. 

 VOL. II. 7 



