1 84 SEA-LION ROOKERIES 



dence that the entire mountain is undermined with caves 

 filled with water. 



As the sea lions leaped from the ledges, frightened by 

 the flambeaux we waved, they rushed for the small star- 

 like opening, crowding through it, and we reached the 

 entrance in time to see them swimming away, led by 

 a large bull, with heads high out of the water, uttering 

 angry barks. 



Not far from this strange rookery I found a large one 

 orl a ledge of rocks and went ashore to investigate, when 

 the sea lions came sliding down the kelp toward me in a 

 menacing manner, particularly a large bull who, opening 

 his mouth, came at me with a peculiar rolling gait, pre- 

 senting a formidable appearance. I had the alternative 

 of holding my ground or jumping overboard, so faced the 

 bull and put on a front of boldness I did not exactly feel, 

 as the big animal on the slippery kelp could easily have 

 bowled me over. But I succeeded in intimidating him so 

 that he passed several feet from me and plunged into the 

 sea followed by the band. There are a number of rooker- 

 ies on this island and on the others of the group. 



