1 1 2 CARNIVORES. 



not more than 25,000 of these seals were in the habit of visiting the former; 



while from 7000 to 8000 landed on the latter. The voice of this species is described 



as a deep, grand roar, forming a low muttering growl. 



Another observer, Captain Charles Bryant, gave the following account of the 



habits of these seals to Mr. Allen : — " From 15,000 to 20,000 sea-lions breed 



annually on the Prybiloff or Fur-Seal Islands. They do not leave the islands in 



winter, as do the fur-seals, to return in spring ; but remain during the whole year. 



They bring forth their young a month earlier than the fur-seal, landing during the 



months of May and June. They advance but little above high tide-mark ; and 



those of all ages land together. The strongest males drive out the weaker, and 



monopolise the females, and continue with them till September. They go with 



them into the water whenever they are disturbed ; and also watch over the young. 



When in the water, they swim about the young, and keep them together until they 



have an opportunity to land again. The females also keep near, rushing hither 



and thither, appearing first on one side and then on the other of the groups of 



young, constantly uttering a deep, hoarse growl at the intruder whenever they 



come to the surface. When left undisturbed they all soon land again, preferring 



to spend the greater portion of their time at this season on the shore. During the 



breeding-season they visit the same parts of the shore as the fur-seals ; but the 



sea-lions, by their superior power and strength, crowd out the fur-seals — the latter 



passively yielding their places without presuming to offer battle to their formidable 



visitors. After having been disturbed, the sea-lions continue for some time in a 



state of unrest, occasionally uttering a low moaning sound, as though greatly 



distressed. Even after the breeding -season they keep close to the shore near 



the breeding -station until the severe weather of January. After this, they 



are seen only in small groups till the islands are free from ice and snow in the 



spring." 



The sea-lions on St. Paul's Island are driven a distance of from 

 Capture. 



ten to twelve miles along the shore to the village where they are to 



be killed ; and from their slow rate of motion, to which allusion has already been 



made, the journey is a long and protracted business, usually taking about five days. 



When once fairly started, and accustomed to the presence of man, the animals are, 



however, readily controlled, and kept in the desired direction. At the end of a 



day's journey they are allowed to refresh themselves by plunging in the pools found 



in many parts of the route. When thoroughly tired out at the end of a day's 



march, the unfortunate animals stretch themselves at full length on the ground, 



with extended limbs. Even then, however, writes Captain Bryant, " their rest is 



not peaceful, for some restless one soon starts up and flounders over the others, as 



if seeking a better place. This disturbs the whole herd, which constantly keeps up a 



low moaning, apparently expressive of sore distress." " By this time," the author 



continues, the sea-lions have " become so accustomed to their captors that they will 



sooner fight than run from them ; and they are too much deafened by their own 



noise to hear or fear any other sound. As they lie on the ground in a compact 



mass, one of the men takes an umbrella, and goes twenty to thirty yards to the 



rear of the herds, and approaching stealthily until he is quite near, suddenly 



expands the umbrella, and runs with it all along the edge of the herd ; then, closing 



