20 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



pup and one only, and of the total number born approximately half are males and half 

 females. The weight of the pup at birth is about 12 pounds. Within a few days after 

 giving birth the female is impregnated; it therefore follows that the period of gestation 

 is a few days short of one year. In the interval she nurses her pup, but otherwise shows 

 comparatively Httle parental solicitude. After impregnation the mother seal, being 

 free to go and come, takes the first of a series of journeys to sea for the purpose of feeding, 

 going from 50 to 100 miles or more, and, after gorging on fish, remains in the water 

 until digestion has taken place. While their mothers are at sea the pups form small 

 "pods" by themselves outside the harems. On returning, the cow finds her pup among 

 the thousands which now throng the rookeries, and stays with it a short time, the 

 pup partaking freely of the abundant store of milk. These journeys to and from the 

 feeding grounds are kept up until November, when old and young leave the islands. 



The decline in the number of pups born marks the end of the breeding season. 

 The old bulls, grown thin and relatively weak from their long fast and protracted harem 

 service, leave the rookeries and after a short rest go to sea to feed and recuperate. Even 

 before the bulls leave, during the last week in July, they relax the strict discipline which 

 they have maintained earlier in the season and the cows come and go at will, and idle 

 bulls and eager young bachelors throng the grounds they dared not enter previously. 

 At this time also the 2-year-old virgin females come ashore for their first impregnation. 

 After this " break-up" there is more or less mingling of all classes of seals. The great 

 majority of the cows continue to frequent the breeding grounds and the bachelors mostly 

 resort to the hauling grounds, but cows often wander among the bachelors and bachelors 

 play among the cows. During the first week in August a few pups begin to play in the 

 water and to make short excursions from shore. By the latter part of August pups 

 may be seen swimming and frolicking along the shores at considerable distances from 

 the rookeries. They continue to come ashore to nurse, however, and leave with the 

 majority of the cows and bachelors in November. During August and later months 

 yearlings are frequently seen playing among the pups. 



HABITS OF BACHELORS. 



The bachelors or younger males remain during the summer mainly by themselves, 

 hauling out in large bands in the vicinity of the breeding rookeries on separate areas 

 known as hauling grounds. Unlike the breeding males, they make frequent excursions 

 to sea to feed and remain fat the entire summer. While on land they pass much of 

 the time sleeping and playing with each otJier, and until late in the season are kept 

 from the breeding grounds by the old bulls. It is from these hauling grounds that the 

 drives for killing are made. Some of the bachelors remain until December, and an 

 occasional few are observed during the winter. 



AGE OF SEALS. 



The male seal is capable of breeding at the age of 5 years or even 4, but does not 

 normally breed until 6 or 7. The female is normally impregnated as a 2-year-old and 

 gives birth to her first pup at the age of 3 years. Males and females, however, have 

 approximately the same length of life, from 12 to 14 years. Fortunately the data 

 regarding this important matter are fairly conclusive. Numerous females branded as 

 pups not later than 1902 were seen in 191 4, showing that many cows five at least 12 



