THE MIGRATIONS OF THE FUR SEALS. 47 
the fourth year his neck begins to thicken and develop the “wig.” After the wig has 
appeared the skin depreciates in value, until in the adult bull it has no value as fur. 
THE HALF BULL. 
In the fifth and sixth years the young male grows rapidly, and in size and 
appearance approximates the adult bull, but lacks his strength and courage. He 
is then known as a “half bull.” The males under 7 years of age are not allowed on 
the rookeries, though they hang about the rear and in the water in front of them. 
The bachelors are forced to herd by themselves in separate bands on the hauling 
grounds. 
THE IDLE BULL. 
In addition to the half bulls there is a class of males called “idle” or “reserve” 
bulls. These are in no way different from the breeding bulls, but on account 
of the lateness of their arrival, the unfavorableness of their location, or because of 
defeat in battle, they.have been unsuccessful in securin gharems. They take up their 
places in the rear of the breeding grounds, or as near to them as they can get, and 
there they fight among themselves, watching for opportunities to invade the harems of 
their more successful rivals, and occasionally forming small harems by capture. Late. 
in the season the idle bulls succeed to the posts vacated by the departing harein 
masters and take charge of the late arriving cows and the 2- -year olds. 
THE YEARLINGS AND VIRGINS.. 
The seals of 1 year old of both sexes are known as yearlings. There is no marked 
difference between the males and females at this age. The yearling males are found 
in the latter. part of July on the hauling grounds with ‘the older bachélors. The 
females come late to the islands and spend much of their time on the rookeries among 
the young of the year. They do not associate to any considerable degree with their 
brothers on the hauling grounds. The females of 2 years old are known as “virgins,” 
and come on the rookeries late in July and early in August to be served by the balls. 
THE PUP. 
The young of the fur seal or pup is black in color at birth, sometimes with a 
brownish strip under the throat and with a large whitish spot in the axil. Its weight 
at birth is about,11 pounds, and it is comparatively helpless, though it becomes able 
to care for itself in a short time. Its head is large in proportion to its body and 
proves a serious handicap in the early efforts of the animal to learn to swim, an art 
which it does not possess at birth. When the pup is about 3 months old it sheds its 
black coat and takes on a new one of gray. By this time it has learned to swim well 
and weighs 25 or 30 pounds. 
THE MIGRATION OF THE SEALS. 
THEIR SUMMER MOVEMENTS. 
In their annual movements the seals of all classes with few, if any, exceptions visit 
each season the islands on which their breeding grounds are situated. The earliest 
arrivals come about the 1st of May; the latest to depart go some time in December. 
