THE SEA LION. 131 
in fact, their tumultuous utterances are beyond description. A rookery of the 
matured animals presents a ferocious and defiant appearance ; but usually, at the 
approach of man, they become alarmed, and, if not opposed in their escape, roll, 
tumble, and sometimes make fearful leaps, from high precipitous rocks, to hasten 
their flight. Like all others of the seal tribe, they are gregarious, and gather in 
the largest numbers during the "pupping season," which varies in different latitudes. 
On the California coast it is from May to August, inclusive, and upon the shores 
of Alaska it is said to be from June to October ; during which period the females 
bring forth their young, nurse them, associate with the valiant males, and both 
unite in the care of the little ones, keeping a wary guard, and teaching them, by 
their own parental actions, how to move over the broken, slimy, rock-bound shore, 
or upon the sandy, pebbly beaches, and to dive and gambol amid the surf and 
rolling ground - swells. At first the pups manifest great aversion to the water, but 
soon, instinctively, become active and playful in the element ; so, by the time the 
season is over, the juvenile creatures disappear with the greater portion of the old 
ones ; only a few of the vast herd remaining at the favorite resorts throughout the 
year. During the pupping season, both males and females, so far as we could 
ascertain, take but little if any food, particularly the males ; though the females 
have been observed to leave their charges and go off, apparently in search of sub- 
sistence, but they do not venture far from their young ones. That the Sea Lion can 
go without food for a long time is unquestionable. One of the superintendents of 
Woodward's Gardens informed me, that in numerous instances they had received 
Sea Lions into the aquarium, which did not eat a morsel of nourishment during a 
whole month, and appeared to suffer but little inconvenience from their long fast. 
As the time approaches for the annual assemblage, those returning or coming 
from abroad are seen near the shores, appearing wild and shy. Soon after, how- 
ever, the females gather upon the beaches, cliffs, or rocks, when the battles among 
the old males begin for the supreme control of the harems ; these struggles often 
lasting for days, the fight being kept up until one or both become exhausted, but 
is renewed again when sufficiently recuperated for another attack ; and, really, the 
attitudes assumed, and the passes made at each other, equal the amplifications of a 
professional fencer. The combat lasts until both become disabled, or one is driven 
from the ground, or perhaps both become- so reduced that a third party, fresh from 
his winter migration, drives them from the coveted charge. The vanquished ani- 
mals then slink off to some retired spot, as if disgraced. Nevertheless, at times, 
two or more will have .charge of the same rookery ; but, in such instances, frequent 
defiant growlings and petty battles occur. So far as we have observed upon the 
