FUR SEALS. 157 
"Wherever a long, continuous shore line is occupied as a breeding -rookery, 
neutral passages are set apart at convenient distances, through which the younger 
seals may pass from the water to the upland, and return, unmolested. 
"Constant care is necessary lest thoughtless persons incautiously- approach the 
breeding- grounds, as the stampede of the seals that would result therefrom always 
destroys many of the young. The old males are denominated by the natives 
Seacuth (married seals). These welcome the females on their arrival, and watch 
over and protect them and their young until the latter are large enough to be left 
to the care of their mothers and the younger males. Those under six years old are 
not able to maintain a place on the rookery, or to keep a harem, and these are 
denominated Hollusckuck (bachelors). These two classes of males, with the full- 
grown females, termed Motku (mothers), form the three classes that participate in 
the duties of reproduction. 
"By the first to the middle of April the snow has melted from the shore, and 
the drift ice from the north has all passed. Soon after this period, a few old male 
seals make their appearance in the water near the island, and after two or three 
days' reconnoissance, venture on to the shore and examine the rookeries, carefully 
smelling them. If the examination is satisfactory, after a day or two a few climb 
the slopes and lie with their heads erect, listening. At this time, if the wind 
blows from the village toward the rookeries, all fires are extinguished, and all 
unnecessary noises avoided. These scouts then depart, and in a few days after, 
small numbers of male seals of all ages begin to arrive. The old patriarchs soon 
take their places on the rookeries, and prevent the younger males from landing. 
They thus compel them to either stay in the water or go to the upland above. 
In locating, each old male reserves a little more than a square rod of space to 
himself and his ten or fifteen wives. 
"Male seals continue to arrive in small numbers daily, a few of which are year- 
lings ; those two, three, four, and five years old arrive in about equal proportions. 
Those older than this are more numerous than the younger, each one of which 
battles his way to his old place on the rookery, or, taking a new one, prepares to 
contend for it in case the owner comes to take it. As they acknowledge no right 
but that of might, the later comer has to select again, or fight for his rights on 
his chosen spot. 
"About the 15th of June the males have all assembled, the ground being then 
fully occupied by them, as they lie waiting for the females to come. These appear 
in small numbers at first, but increase as the season advances, till the middle of 
July, when the rookeries are all full, often overlapping each other. 
