114 STORIES OF BIRDS AND BEASTS 



whitish underneath, to an ashy brown mantle and buffy 

 belly, when dry. 



" From early May until the middle of June the Seals 

 come from their winter feeding-grounds and haul upon 

 land. The males come first, each striving for the place 

 he likes best and fighting fierce battles with his rivals 

 to secure it. Thus it happens that the strongest Seals 

 keep the best places near the water's edge, and the 

 weaker are driven further inland. 



" When the females come in late June or early July, 

 only a day or so before their cubs are born, there is 

 fierce war, each male Seal seizing the mates he wishes 

 to come and live in the square of ground he calls his 

 house, lifting them as if they were only so many kit- 

 tens. Thus it happens that those strong ones near the 

 shore secure a houseful, while those far up have hard 

 work to find even one mate. Then there is always a 

 herd of roving bachelors, young Seals and those who 

 have no homes or mates, who go together in a separate 

 place to spend the summer. The law holds that these 

 bachelors are the only ones that should be killed for 

 fur, and that no guns or dogs shall aid in their killing. 

 If this law had been kept, then would the tribe still 

 hold its own. 



" The fur of this Sea Bear must be taken in June or 

 July, before the winter coat is shed, or in early autumn 

 when the new coat is fresh, for the law says these ani- 

 mals may not be taken on American ground between 

 October and June." 



" But suppose people follow them and kill them in 

 the water and shoot the females, too, what happens 

 then?" asked Rap. 



