15G MARINE MAMMALS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN COAST. 
for, almost invariably, those of the band which had been taken by the Indians 
were females — are found to have foetuses in them that must necessarily be brought 
forth in the course of a month or two, which would probably be about the time 
they would arrive in that far northern region. The Indians unanimously affirm 
that they come from the south and go to the north. It is quite certain that they 
do not resort to any islands in or near the strait, or the adjacent coast. As near 
as can be ascertained, the main body pass by the mouth of the strait during the 
months of March and April and a part of May, after which comparatively few are 
seen ; scattering ones, however, remain till the close of summer, as before men- 
tioned. But where these countless herds of fur- bearing animals resort to in winter 
seems a mystery. All we know is, that at the proper seasons of the year they 
come on shore plump and fat, the females have their young, and all remain about 
the land until the little ones are sufficiently matured to migrate. 
At the expense of being prolix, we quote the following from the notes of 
Captain Bryant,* whose stay upon the Island of St. Paul, Bearing Sea, afforded 
him ample opportunity to study the habits of the Callorhinus ursinus : 
"The Fur Seals resort to the Pribyloff Islands during the summer months for 
the sole purpose of reproduction, f Those sharing in these duties necessarily remain 
on or near the shore until- the young are able to take to the water. During this 
considerable period the old seals are not known to take any food. These, and no 
others, occupy the rookeries (or breeding -grounds) with the females. 
"The breeding -rookeries, which are frequented exclusively by the old males 
and females, with their pups, occupy the belt of loose rocks along the shores 
between the high -water line and the base of the cliffs or uplands. The old male 
appears to return each year to the same rock, so long as he is able to maintain 
his position. J The native chiefs affirm that one seal, known by his having lost 
one of his flippers, came seventeen successive years to the same rock. Those 
under six years are never allowed by the old ones on these places. They usually 
swim in the water along the shore all day, and at night go on the upland above 
the rookeries, and spread themselves out, like flocks of sheep, to rest. 
* See Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative animals do not invariably return every year to 
Zoology, Harvard College, Cambridge, Mass., Vol. the same rookery, or island. We are informed 
II, No. 1 — "On the Eared Seals," by J. A. by Captain Earskin, of the Alaska Commercial 
Allen. Company's service, that some young seals -which 
f Some observers say that they shed their were marked upon St. Paul's Island during 
fur. the season of 1872, were found the year follow- 
| Subsequent observations prove that these ing on St. George's Island. — C. M. S. 
