100 HABITS OF THE ALASKAN SEAL. 



Inability tolmcl lost its motlier, was placed near the water's 



8wim. 



edge in order that it might swim to an adjoining 

 rookery and perchance find its parent. "Day 

 after day" he continues, "tliis pup was watched, 

 but it would not go near the water, and neither 

 did its mother return. After several days or so, 

 a new employ d of that season only, and knowing 

 nothing whatever of fur-seal life and habits, 

 coming along that way and finding the pup in 

 the grass, thinking probably that he had gotten 

 lost from the other side, took him up and threw 

 him into the water, with a view of giving him a 

 chance of swimming back home. It was mis- 

 taken kindness, however, for he was immediately 

 drowned."^ Dr. H. H. Mclntyre, for twenty 

 years on the islands as superintendent of the 

 Alaska Commercial Company, and who has 

 made the seal habits and industry a life study, 

 states 'Hhat it should be particularly noted that 

 they (the pups) are not amphibious until several 

 weeks old." ^ Mr. J. H. Moulton, who was assist- 

 ant Treasury agent on the islands for seven 

 years, states that he "has seen pups thrown in 

 the water when their heads would immediately 

 go under, and they would inevitably drown 



1 Vol. II, p. 31. 



2 Vol. II, p. 41. 



