66 



BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



November, when a large proportion of the herd had left the islands. Nevertheless, a 

 total of 315 was recorded, and it is evident that many more were present at times when 

 no enumeration was made. 



During the season, 13 branded 2-year-old males were killed at food killings and sub- 

 jected to special examination. Three others taken in November have been reported 

 upon by Agent Fassett. The data obtained from these examples are given below; 



Measurements and weights of 2-year-old males. 



a From tip of nose to root of tail. 



t'Condyloba?al length. 



cMcasurcd by W. H. Osgood, G. H. Parker, and E. A. Preble. 



d Measured by G. D. Hanna and A. H. Proctor. 



'Including skin of head. 



/Measured by H. C. Fassett. 



g Exclusive of November examples. 



A Eight skins taken July 21-August 18. 



Two-year-old females. — The 2 -year-old females begin to land at about the height of 

 the season or just before the harems of old cows have broken up. They become more 

 numerous after the break-up but are never seen in large numbers. Some of them join 

 the regular harems and remain for perhaps two or three days, but as a rule they do not 

 stay long in one place. In a few cases, small harems composed exclusively of 2-year-olds 

 may be seen but this is exceptional. Probably many of them are served near the water 

 and never reach the rookery ground beyond. Although not always distinguishable with 

 certainty from young cows of three or perhaps four years, they have certain character- 

 istics which would doubtless be recognized by an experienced observer in practically all 

 cases. They are generally vet}' fat and sleek and seem relatively short-bodied with 

 short front flippers, very light-colored breasts, and short dark whiskers. These char- 

 acters are not absolutely distinctive, but when combined with observation of the general 

 appearance and actions and the indifference to the pups, they serve to make the identi- 

 fication of the 2-year-old female fairly certain. These females enter the rookery ground 

 with obvious hesitancy; their whole demeanor is that of inexperience and coyness, 

 and they take flight at the slighest alarm. A few of them occasionally stray to the 

 hauling grounds, and when once there sometimes persist in remaining until hterally 

 driven into the sea by the unwelcome attentions of the younger bachelors. During the 

 season of 1914, with one exception, the only females found in drives were 2-year-olds. 



