XXII. SEA-LION ROOKERIES 



The sea lions of the Pacific coast have been so well 

 protected by local laws or sentiment that they have in- 

 creased in numbers, and it is now possible, especially in 

 Southern California, to visit several of their rookeries, or 

 homes, and observe the animals at leisure. The most 

 available locahty is at the island of Santa Catalina, off 

 Los Angeles County, where these animals have been 

 especially protected. The principal rookery is on the 

 extreme southeast end of the island, on what are known 

 as Seal Rocks, where a number of large sea lions have 

 made their home. They are so tame that glass-bottom 

 boats approach them within a few yards, and visitors 

 photograph the big animals in a variety of positions ; as 

 a rule, they refuse to leave the rocks until the boat is 

 alongside. They generally lie basking in the sun most 

 of the day, doing much of their feeding at night, though 

 this is by no means a rule. Their positions are often 

 striking. 



The bulls, heavy and ponderous, sit upright generally, 

 with heads pointed into the air, and doubtless doze in this 

 position. In early summer they all leave the rocks and go 

 ashore on the beach, a few yards distant, and here the 

 young are born, the herd remaining until the little ones have 

 learned to swim — a matter of several weeks, for they are 

 very helpless at first. For a long time the herd, or part of 

 it, left the rocks in the evening and came up to the town 



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