276 EXTRACTS FROM VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS. 



six are readily distinguished by their difference in size and form. The 

 reproductive organs of the male are developed in the fourth year of its 

 age, but it has not yet acquired sufficient strength to maintain its 

 place in the breeding rookeries, which are occupied exclusively by the 

 old males and females with their pups. These rookeries are located on 

 the belt of loose rock between the high-water mark and the base of the 

 cliff's, and vary in width from five to forty rods. The stretches of sand 

 beach between the rookeries are occupied by the young seals as tempo- 

 rary resting-places or by the sick and wounded as neutral ground, on 

 which they may remain undisturbed. The old males return each year 

 to the same rock as long as they are able to maintain their position. 

 It is vouched for by the natives that one seal came for seventeen suc- 

 cessive seasons to the same point. 



The male seals under six years of age are not allowed on the breed- 

 ing rookeries and they are generally found in the water swimming along 

 the shore during the day and at night on the uplands above the rook- 

 eries, where they rest scattered about like a flock of sheep. Where a 

 long, continuous shore line is occupied by the rookeries narrow pas- 

 sages are left at convenient intervals, through which the young seals 

 may pass unmolested to and from the uplands. At times aline of seals 

 may be seen for hours passing in single file through these open spaces. 

 If at any time, from sudden fright, they attempt to cross the rookeries 

 at any other point a general engagement ensues, resulting in the kill- 

 ing and wounding of large numbers, and if the females with their pups 

 are on the rookeries many of the latter are crushed by being trampled 

 upon. Constant care is necessary, therefore, on the part of the officer 

 in charge or of the native chiefs to prevent any unusual demonstra- 

 tion to alarm the rookeries. 



The special duty of the old males, or wigs, as they are commonly 

 called, is to receive the females on their arrival and to watch over and 

 protect their young until large enough to be left to the care of their 

 mothers and the younger males or bachelors, as the latter are termed. 



From the first to the middle of April, when the snow has melted from 

 the shore and the drift-ice from the north ceased running, a few old 

 male seals make their appearance in the water around the islands and, 

 after two or three days' reconnoissance, venture on shore and examine 

 the rookeries, carefully smelling them. If everything is satisfactory 

 thus far, after a day or two a few climb the slopes and lie with their 

 heads erect, listening. At this time, if the wind blows in the direction 

 of the rookeries, all fires are extinguished and all unnecessary noises 

 suppressed. These scouts soon depart, and after a few days return 

 with large numbers of the male seals of all ages. The rookeries are 

 taken possession of by the old males, who drive the youngerones into the 

 water or to the uplands inside the rookeries. In locating for the sea- 

 son, the old males each reserve about one square rod of ground for the 

 convenience of their future families and that they may have sufficient 

 room in which to execute their awkward movements in defending them- 

 selves against the attacks of their neighbors. Male seals continue to 

 arrive daily for some time, the greater part of whom are old wigs, who 

 fight their way to their old places or prepare to defend some newly 

 selected ground against any former occupant that may claim it. They 

 acknowledge no right save might, so that the quarrel is incessant day 

 and night, and the continual growling sounds like the approach of a 

 distant railroad train. 



About the middle of June the males have all arrived and the ground 

 is fully occupied by them. Soon after this the females begin to come, 



