224 Carkivora Pixxipedia. 



are on the Aleutian and Pribolov Islands in the Bering 

 Sea; but the northern limit of its habitat is apparently 

 determined by the southern border of the Polar floating 

 ice, Tvhile its southern range extends to California on one 

 side, and to Japan on the other side of the North Pacific 

 Ocean. Although provided with flippers, apparently the 

 same as those of the Sea Bears, these animals are unable 

 to use them in the same free manner : for where the Sea 

 Bears can be driven six miles, the Sea Lions can barely go 

 two. They seldom raise their hind quarters from the 

 ground, but draw them after the fore feet with a slide 

 over the grass or sand. The Sea Lions do not leave the 

 islands in the fall as the Fur Seals do to return in the 

 spring; but remain there the whole year, keeping close to the 

 shores near the stations even after the close of the breed- 

 ing season, although they are only seen in small groups 

 from the time the cold weather sets in late in December, 

 or early in January, until spring once more frees the 

 islands of ice and snow. The voice of the Northern Sea 

 Lion is a deep, grand roar. Unlike the Northern Sea Bears, 

 the Sea Lions have a marked affection for their young; 

 the males often going into the water with the females to 

 watch over the cubs, as they learn how to swim. 



The California Sea Lion, or AVest Coast Seal, is also 

 found on both sides of the North Pacific; but the northern 

 boundary of its habitat is the southern limit of the range 

 of the Northern Sea Lion. The general habits of these 

 animals seem to be very similar to those of the Northern 

 Sea Lion, but they utter a sharp bark, or howl, by Avhich 

 they can easily be distinguished even at night, when it is 

 impossible to note differences in size and color and truc- 

 tural appearance. The shape of the head of the Cali- 

 fornia Sea Lion is different from that of all other Seals, 

 resembling that of the dog-faced baboon. The cubs are 

 almost black in color, but the general color of the adults 

 is a chestnut brown, deeper on the under parts and limbs 

 than on the back. The length of the full-grown males 

 varies from seven to eight feet. California Sea Lions 

 breed on the Farralone Islands and the island of Santa 

 Barbara. During the hauling-up season they congregate 

 there in vast numbers, and are considered one of the 

 sights of California, summer visitors to San Francisco 



