THE NORTHERN SEA-LION 701 



accustomed to go down to the shore, accompanied by their young <eften carried by 

 the nape of the neck and disport themselves in the surf; such rambles being never 

 undertaken by the female sea-bears. On the two main islands of the Pribilof group, 

 respectively known as St. Paul's and St. George's, it was estimated by Mr. Elliot 

 that not more than 25,000 of these seals were in the habit of visiting the former; 

 while from 7,000 to 8,000 landed on the latter. The voice of this species is described 

 as a deep, grand roar, forming a low muttering growl. 



Another observer, Captain Charles Bryant, gave the following account of the 

 habits of these seals to Mr. Allen: " From 15,000 to 20,000 seal-lions breed an- 

 nually on the Pribilof or Fur-Seal islands. They do not leave the islands in win- 

 ter, as do the fur-seals, to return in spring; but remain during the whole year. They 

 bring forth their young a month earlier than the fur-seal, landing during the months 

 of May and June. They advance but little above high-tide mark; and those of all 

 ages land together. The strongest males drive out the weaker, and monopolize the 

 females, and continue with them till September. They go with them into the water 

 whenever they are disturbed; and also watch over the young. When in the water, 

 they swim about the young, and keep them together until they have an opportunity 

 to land again. The females also keep near, rushing hither and thither, appearing 

 first on one side and then on the other of the groups of young, constantly uttering a 

 deep, hoarse growl at the intruder whenever they come to the surface. When left 

 undisturbed they all soon land again, preferring to spend the greater portion of their 

 time at this season on the shore. During the breeding season they visit the same 

 parts of the shore as the fur-seals; but the sea-lions, by their superior power and 

 strength, crowd out the fur-seals the latter passively yielding their places without 

 presuming to offer battle to their formidable visitors. After having been disturbed, 

 the sea-lions continue for some time in a state of unrest, occasionally uttering a low 

 moaning sound, as though greatly distressed. Even after the breeding season they 

 keep close to the shore near the breeding station until the severe weather of Janu- 

 ary. After this, they are seen only in small groups till the islands are free from ice 

 and snow in the spring. ' ' 



The sea-lions on St. Paul's island are driven a distance of from ten 

 to twelve miles along the shore to the village where they are to be 

 killed; and from their slow rate of motion, to which allusion has already been made, 

 the journey is a long and protracted business, usually taking about five days. When 

 once fairly started, and accustomed to the presence of man, the animals are, how- 

 ever, readily controlled, and kept in the desired direction. At the end of a day's 

 journey they are allowed to refresh themselves by plunging in the pools found in 

 many parts of the route. When thoroughly tired out at the end of a day's march, 

 the unfortunate animals stretch themselves at full length on the ground, with ex- 

 tended limbs. Even then, however, writes Captain Bryant, " their rest is not peace- 

 ful, for some restless one soon starts up and flounders over the others, as if seeking 

 a better place. This disturbs the whole herd, which constantly keeps up a low 

 moaning, apparently expressive of sore distress." " By this time," the author con- 

 tinues, ' ' the sea-lions have become so accustomed to their captors that they will 

 sooner fight than run from them; and they are too much deafened by their own noise 



