528 THE SECRETARY ON ADDITIONS TO THE MENAGERIE. [NoV. 12, 



About the 9th of January last, Lecomte again left Port Stanley in 

 the Grovernor's schooner for Port Salvador, at the northern extremity 

 of East Falkland. On this as on other occasions, on passing the 

 " Volunteer Rocks," the Fur-Seal of the Falklands ( Otaria falk- 

 landica) was seen in considerable numbers. On a fine day, by the 

 aid of a glass, some 100 or 150 of this Seal may be distinguished 

 lying on these rocks ; but the violence of the surf renders it impos- 

 sible to approach them in a small schooner. On reaching Port 

 Salvador the numerous inlets were diligently searched for Sea- Lions, 

 but here, where these animals were formerly so abundant, not one 

 was met with. Lecomte next tried the vicinity of Island Harbour, 

 on the east coast, but was again unsuccessful, only meeting with a 

 single example of this species. Returning to Port Stanley he found 

 the stock of Penguins required replenishing, and made another visit 

 to Volunteer Lagoon for this purpose. 



About the begitniing of March, Lecomte left Port Stanley again in 

 the Governor's schooner for "Sea-Lion Island," off the south shore 

 of East Falkland, with the expectation of here, at least, meeting 

 with the animal whence the island has received its name. But he 

 was again disappointed, not a single Sea-Lion having been found in 

 this locality. But on the southernmost of the Kelp Islands, lying 

 further north, which were visited on the return voyage, a herd of 

 about thirty individuals of this animal was discovered ; an old male 

 (of which the skull was preserved) was shot, and four young ones 

 (two males and two females) were captured. The female Sea-Lion 

 produces her young (rarely more than one at a birth) about 

 Christmas-day ; so that these animals were between three and four 

 months old when captured. Lecomte returned at once to Port 

 Stanley with his captives, but found much difficulty in rearing them. 

 The supply of milk was limited ; and small fishes, such as they could 

 eat, were with difficulty to he had. The last of the four died upon 

 Good Friday (April 10th), whereupon he immediately determined 

 to set about getting a fresh supply. 



The Governor's schooner being now employed upon other service, 

 Lecomte hired for this purpose the schooner ' Felis' (Capt. Hansen), 

 a vessel of about 20 tons, usually engaged in the Penguin and Seal 

 fishery*, and left Port Stanley on May 23rd. At Kelp Island, the 

 first spot visited, they could not land, from bad weather, but Sea- 

 Lions were observed with the glass. On the 30th of May they were 

 on Great Island in Adventure Bay, and here succeeded in capturing 

 the only two Sea- Lions met with, both of which were young females. 

 On the 8th of June two others (one male and one female) were taken 

 at North Point Island, off the same coast, the female being that 

 which is now in the Society's Gardens ; and Lecomte immediately 

 returned with all four of them to Port Stanley. 



From Port Stanley Lecomte proceeded home by the packet 'Fawn,' 



* Four vessels engaged in this trade at Port Stanley last year are stated to have 

 made altogether 50,700 gallons of Peng lin oil. The destruction thus caused 

 amongst these birds may be realized when it is considered that eight Penguins 

 are estimated to make one gallon of oil. 



