378 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PKIBILOF ISLANDS. 



The whole upper part of Polovina is a depressed area covered with sand packed 

 hard and mixed with small bowlders, but few large rocks. In a hollow where it 

 broadens below there are 30 dead pups not counted from below. There is still much 

 fighting among the old bulls in this hollow. 



Fifteen more dead pups are on the top of slope in the edge of the harems. A 

 number are fished out with a bamboo pole and hook. Most are in a rotten condition. 

 Half a dozen of the freshest ones are taken for dissection. One pup was found lying 

 on a sharp stone, the impression of which could be seen in its breast when it was 

 turned over. No doubt was left as to the cause of its death. This is one of the worst 

 of the rookeries as regards the fighting and stampeding of bachelors. The higher 

 ground is especially bad. There is still many superfluous bulls. 



SLEEPING PUPS. 



It is very hard to awaken sleeping pups. You can sit down in the midst of a 

 pod and rub their noses without disturbing them. When once awake they sniff at 

 you and when they take in the situation they hasten away snarling and protesting 

 vigorously. The awaking of one does not necessarily wake the others. The last little 

 fellow allows himself to be rolled over and over before he opens his eyes. He sits for 

 a moment looking curiously, then moves off. After getting away a few feet it seems to 

 dawn on him that something is wrong and he sets up a vigorous snapping and 

 snarling, at the same time hastening away. 



One pup in a pool is seen shaking a piece of kelp in his jaws as a little puppy 

 dog would play with a piece of stick. 



THE CURIOSITY OF THE SEALS. 



An old bull with an injured back is shot. His skin is taken for museum purposes. 

 He does not show any recent injury. Probably an old injury now healed, but leaving 

 the animal a cripple. The rough hurried dissection does not show it. 



We are now back at the angle from which we started, having circled the rookery. 

 The pups we routed out at first and also the cows on the rocks at the water's edge, 

 are all back as though not disturbed. Hundreds and hundreds of pups are swimming 

 and sporting in the tide pools of the rocky reef here at low tide. The water at a 

 distance of 10 or 16 yards is alive with holostiaki. They stand up and gaze with an 

 inquisitive stare, approaching us as closely as they dare, to witness the skinning of 

 the bull. All the neighboring bulls show a mild interest in this. Occasionally a 

 bachelor takes fright and rushes madly out to sea, the others following; but they are 

 quickly back again. 



It is always the sudden movement, whether of a stranger or of one of their own 

 number, that alarms the seals. They act very differently in the sea from what they 

 do on land when alarmed. When they have the sea behind them they are confident 

 of their ability to escape and are much more daring. 



THE FIGHTING OF THE BULLS. 



A bull quickly knows when he is outclassed in a fight and gets away as soon as 

 he can, pretending not to notice his opponent further. If he turns on his pursuer it 

 is to save his hide, not to renew the fight. When he turns, the bull following will 

 stop. Then it is not difQcult for the defeated bull to make his escape. The old bulls 



