B. C. SEA-LION INYESTIGATION 29 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 38a 



the whole trip. For a considerable distance above the water's edge, the rocks every- 

 where were lined with sea-lions. The lowest estimate made as to the number was 

 6,000. The pups here were larger and. hence, in such a number, it was difficult to 

 distinguish them from the yearlings and small females. For that reason the num- 

 ber of pups could not be approximated. As it was pouring rain unfortunately photo- 

 graphy was out of the question. 



No rookeries have been reported from the larger islands, Lanz and Cox, there- 

 fore, although the shores were scanned with glasses from a distance, no closer examina- 

 tion was made. Triangle island, which formerly was the base for a large rookery, 

 no longer supports one. The island was not visited but by means of wireless com- 

 munication the commission was assured that no breeding took place there in 1916. 



In the open ocean for miles around Haycocks, sea-lions were seen, singly or in 

 small groups, the last of these for the day about 14 miles away in the direction of 

 Quatsino sound. 



///. SoJander Island. 



The rookery at Solander island, off cape Coop, was examined the following day, 

 June 27. The day was fine and the sea smooth. The Emoh was left in the offing, 

 while two members of the commission in the boat's dinghy, rowed over to the rookery 

 in the hope that some photographs could be obtained before there would be much 

 commotion among the members of the herd. Such hopes were vain for so timid were 

 these huge beasts that even the approach of this small boat struck them with terror 

 and they began to tumble off into the water, consequently, in order to show any 

 large portion of the number, long range photographs had to be taken (see figs. 16, IT). 

 Three or four of the large bulls remained to be seen at shorter range, swaying from 

 side to side and uttering most deafening roars. Some of their most faithful consorts 

 remained with them almost to the last. One in particular seemed very loath to go 

 (see fig. 21). He was probably the largest of the herd, and one of the largest seen at 

 any of the rookeries, but he, too, finally took the plunge. His total length must 

 Irave been over 12 feet and his weight over a ton. (Dr. Newcombe in his sea-lion report 

 for 1913, gives the actual weight of a 12-foot sea-lion, brought into x\lert bay, April 

 26, 1913, as 2,240 pounds.) 



In the water the animals seem to have less fear, and when a score of them came 

 up at the same time, near together (see fig. 23), and in close proximity to the small 

 boat, to give tlieir deep roar in unison, one felt that it was as well that they did not 

 realize the extent of their powers. 



This rookery was not a large one, so that the number, little in excess of 500, 

 could be fairly accurately counted. Here again the pups were large enough to take 

 to the water, and they were among the first to do so; hence the relative number could 

 not be definitely estimated. 



On June 28, while returning from Sea Otter cove to Rivers inlet, sea-lions were 

 seen at cape Russell and other points between this and cape Scott. 



IV. Cape St. James. 



There remained one large rookery, that on the rocks off cape St. James, at the 

 southern extremity of the Queen Charlotte islands, and a start was made for this on 

 June 29. In the neighbourhood of Estevan island, engine trouble developed to such 

 extent that it was necessary to go to Prince Rupert for repairs. This made a delay 

 of some days. 



On July 9, Butterworth rocks, to the northwest of Stephens island, were visited, 

 as this is a well-known hauling-out place, but not a rookery. Two sea^lions were seen. 



