264 ARGUMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 



Numerous other witnesses were called who agreed that the only 

 means of sustenance for the pup while it remained on the island, that 

 is, for three or four months after its birth, is its mother's milk, and that 

 it would perish if deprived of the same. Upon this point the follow- 

 ing - testimony may be read: 



William Healey Dall {ibid., p. 23); Samuel Falconer (ibid., p. 165); 

 William S. Hereford (ibid., p. 35) ; Nicoli Krukotf (ibid., p. 135). 

 H. W. Mclntyre says (ibid., p. 130) : 



Within a few days after landing (it may be but a few hours or even 

 minutes, as I have seen) the female gives birth to her young, but one 

 being brought forth each year. The reported occasional birth of twins 

 is not verified. These little ones (pups as they are called) are com- 

 paratively helpless, particularly awkward in movement, and, unlike 

 the hair-seal, are unable to swim. They are nursed by the mother, 

 who, after copulation has taken place, is permitted by the old male to 

 go at will in quest of food. At about six weeks old, the young gather 

 in groups and shortly after learn to swim, but depend for a long period 

 upon the mother for sustenance; hence her destruction must result in 

 the death of the young through starvation. 



So, also, J. H. Moulton (ibid., p. 72). 

 Mr. Noyes says (ibid., p. 82) : 



The pup is entirely dependent upon its dam for sustenance, and 

 when it is a lew days old she goes into the sea to feed, returning at 

 intervals of a few hours at first, and gradually lengthening the time 

 as the pups grow older and stronger, until she will be, sometimes, away 

 for a whole week. During these journeys, it is my opinion, she goes 

 a distance of from 40 to 200 miles from the islands to feed; and it is 

 at this time she falls a prey to the pelagic hunter. 



Returned to the rookery, the cow goes straight to where she left her 

 pup, and it seems she instantly recognizes the spot by smelling, and it 

 is equally certain that the pup can not recognize its dam. I have often 

 seen pups attempt to suck cows promiscuously, yet no cow will suckle 

 any pup but her own. 



J. C. Redpath (ibid., pp. 148, 149): 



No cow will nurse any pup but her own, and I have often watched 

 the pups attempt to suck cows, but they were always driven off; and 

 this fact convinces me that the cow recognizes her own pup and that 

 the pup does not know its dam. At birth and for several weeks after, 

 the pup is utterly helpless and entirely dependent upon its dam for sus- 

 tenance; and should anything prevent her return during this period it 

 dies on the rookery. This has been demonstrated beyond a doubt 

 since the sealing vessels have operated hugely in the Behring Sea dur- 

 ing the months of July, August, and September, and which, killing the 

 cows at the feeding grounds, left the pups to die on the islands. 



At about 5 weeks old the pups begin to run about and congregate 

 m bunches or "pods," and at to 8 weeks old they go into the shallow 



