284 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES [Proc. 4th Ser. 



Explanation, Plate 12 



STELLERS SEA LION 



{Eumetopias stelleri) 



This magnificent animal ranges from the Santa Barbara Islands north- 

 ward into Bering Sea. Formerly very abundant, persistent killing for its 

 hides and oil has reduced its numbers greatly. Within the last few years 

 they have entirely ceased breeding on the famous Seal Rocks near the 

 Cliff House at the Golden Gate. A few individuals still resort to these 

 rocks, but they no longer breed there. 



These animals reach a large size. The adult bull shown in the group 

 weighed 1,810 pounds. There is a great difference in size between the 

 sexes, the females being not more than half as large as the males. 



Fishermen almost without exception claim that the sea lions are very 

 destructive to the commercial fisheries. This is probably true at certain 

 seasons and in some localities, but investigations have not fully sustained 

 the charge. 



The breeding season of this species on the California coast is the latter 

 half of June. One young is produced at a birth. 



The noise made by the Steller Sea Lion is a loud roar, resembling 

 that of a real lion ; this, together with the long yellowish hair of the 

 necks of the bulls, doubtless suggested the name sea lion. 



This group shows the breeding rookeries on Afio Nuevo Island just 

 south of San Francisco. 



Group prepared under the immediate direction of John Rowley. 



Background painted by Charles Abel Corwin. 



Photo by Gabriel Moulin. 



