SI-:AL LIFK ON Tin: PRIIULOF ISLANDS. 49 



which time they bring forth mid rear their young, after which they 

 return to the sea, and disappear in the depths of the great ocean until 

 the days lengthen out again and nature tells them to return. 



Given a lew warm, sunny days any time about April 20, and the 

 "first bull" may be seen carefully reconnoitering a rookery and event- 

 ually hauling out and taking possession of the identical rock or spot 

 of earth upon which he dwelt with his family last year, and upon which 

 he himself, in all probability, was born. 



Early in May the breeding males or bulls begin to arrive in large 

 numbers and select their stations, upon which they lie down and sleep 

 for several weeks, or until about the time the breeding females or cows 

 are expected, when they assume au upright sitting posture and send 

 forth at intervals a cry peculiar to the fur seal, which is supposed to 

 be an invitation or signal to the approaching cows. 



About the middle of May, and long before the arrival of the cows, 

 the large young males, or bachelors, begin to arrive at the islands; 

 and they, too, would haul out upon the breeding grounds were it not 

 that the bulls are there to prevent it by driving them off. No male 

 seal can stay on the breeding grounds that is not old enough and strong 

 enough to maintain his position against all coiners. The young males- 

 are thus naturally forced to herd by themselves at a safe distance from 

 the breeding grounds during the breeding season, and this regulation 

 in turn serves a very good purpose, for, as the breeding and killing 

 seasons run together through the mouths of June and July, the young 

 males can be easily surrounded and driven to the killing grounds with- 

 out having to disturb the breeding seals. 



None but young male seals are ever killed for food or for skins or for 

 any other purpose on the islands. 



About June 10 the cows begin to arrive and haul out and select their 

 stations for the season. 



It has been claimed that the bulls meet the cows at the water's edge 

 and light bloody battles for them, but my observation has convinced me 

 that the cow herself selects her station, and having once made a choice 

 she is certainly compelled to remain there. 



Shortly after the arrival of the cows the young seals or pups are to 

 be seen upon the rookeries; and it is safe to say that, with few excep- 

 tions, they are all brought forth by July 25. 



I have for six years paid particular attention to the formation of the 

 harems or families, and I find that from July 10 to 20 the rookeries are 

 fullest and at their best, and I have counted from 1 to 72 cows in one 

 harem. 



After bringing forth their young the cows go into the sea to feed, 

 returning to and nursing their offspring every few hours at first, but 

 gradually lengthening their stay into days and weeks before they 

 return. 



When about four or five weeks old the pups begin to stir around and 

 get acquainted with one another, forming pods or crowds, and running 

 in company, at first inclining toward the interior of the rookery, and 

 afterwards, as they advance in age and strength, they direct their steps 

 toward the beach, where they paddle around in the shallows until, step 

 by step, they learn to swim. 



About the beginning of August the harems are broken up, the com- 

 pact formation of the herd is dissolved, and the different sexes mix and 

 mingle together indiscriminately all over the rookeries and hauling 

 grounds. 



When the bull hauls out in May he is as "round as a barrel " and as 

 S. Doc, 137, pt. 1 4 



