500 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. 56. 



distinction corresponds to sea lions and fur seals. I did not observe 

 the fur seal, but from the uniformity of local accounts I would assume 

 that it occurs in small numbers as far north as the peninsula of 

 Paracas. 



The sea lion, Otaria juhata, occui-s fairly abundantly along the 

 entire coast. There is scarcely an island of any size without its 

 "loberia" or rookery of sea Mons. Naturally, this animal has some 

 relation to the birds. Many persons have charged them with being 

 very destructive of the guano birds. Some years ago the capture of 

 lobos in Peru was permitted and it was found that the value of the 

 hides and oil was sufficient to make the industry profitable. Sub- 

 sequently this fishery was stopped by governmental prohibition, 

 chiefly because of the extensive use of dynamite, but partly because 

 it was suggested by some persons that the lobos rendered an importan t 

 and necessary service to the birds in herding the fishes, driving them 

 to the surface, or demoralizing them, and consequently making it 

 easier for the birds to obtain their food. These questions were of 

 particular interest and it was consequently kept in view to note such 

 observations as might bear on them. 



To the sea lions has also been ascribed some importance as pro- 

 ducers of guano; in fact, the literature of the subject almost invaria- 

 bly attributes Peruvian guano to the "birds and sea lions." Some 

 definite observations were made on this point, and it may not be 

 inappropriate to refer to them briefly and before proceeding to the 

 proper subject of the section, in order to establish more precisely 

 the significance of the birds in relation to the valuable deposits of 

 guano. 



THE SEA LION AS A PRODUCER OF GUANO. 



It is well known that there have been deposits regarded as lobo 

 guano, deposits wliich may have been entirely guano of lobos, or a 

 mixture of the guanos of lobos and of birds. That the lobos now 

 produce a very insignificant amount of available guano seems to be 

 the unanimous opinion of those most practically concerned with the 

 guano industry. I have observed a good many hauluig grounds of 

 sea lions between Paita and Independencia, but have usually found 

 that the rocks were clean. The resting grounds were, as a rule, on 

 the rocks close to the water, and, as the sea lions floundered and slid 

 over the rocks going into and out of the water, they swept away 

 with them not only their own, but also such guano of birds as may 

 have been in the way. The rocks are thus left smooth and slippery. 



Some exceptions must be made. A small island was visited in 

 1907 off the Punta Loberia, just above Cerro Azul, where there had 

 been a recent deposit of "lobo guano." According to the best 

 information that could be obtained, this island was cleaned of guano 



