84 THE COURTSHIP OF ANIMALS 



family circle. As a rule, however, she avoids this seizure 

 by turning and facing her lord and master, and biting him 

 in the breast and throat. But all to no purpose. In spite 

 of her violent protests he pushes her backwards before him 

 into the fold. 



Sometimes in her efforts to improve her position she runs 

 up to, and is seized by, a rival bull. Her lord speedily 

 asserts his ownership by getting a grip wherever he can 

 on the would-be truant. Then begins a tug-of-war 

 between the two bulls, during which the wretched victim 

 of their rage may be torn in pieces. By the elimination 

 in each generation of the more querulous and discon- 

 tented, the peculiarly gentle and passive nature so 

 characteristic of the females has been developed. 



After the first ten days' sojourn ashore the female is 

 allowed to go to sea to feed, returning presently to suckle 

 her young. The bull, on the other hand, can enjoy no 

 such privilege. For three long months he must keep watch 

 and ward fasting — at first, in order that he may retain 

 his territory ; later, that he may retain his harem. This 

 fast, having regard to the loss of energy and blood which 

 this strenuous period entails, is wonderful ; for in the case 

 of all other animals fasts are always associated with 

 absolute rest and sleep. Not so with the Sea-lion ; he 

 arrives at the breeding-ground fat and well-liking, he 

 leaves a starved and battered wreck. 



The foregoing summary of the habits of these most 

 interesting and much persecuted animals is taken from 

 the exhaustive report of Dr. F. A. Lucas and Mr. Charles 

 Townsend. These two distinguished naturalists accom- 

 panied the United States contingent of the Fur-seal 

 International Commission despatched in 1896-97 to 

 inquire into the threatened extermination of these 



