108 SEA-LION ADVENTURE. 



species. The settlers and others call them roohs, and 

 another very common carrion bird of the vulture 

 family {Cathartes Aura), is kno-mi here as the john- 

 crow. On board the ship the sight of some quarters 

 of beef secured to the mizen cross-trees had attracted 

 nimibers of these hawks, and upwards of a dozen 

 mig'ht have been seen at one time perched upon the 

 rigging, including* one on each truck ; on shore they 

 made several attacks upona pile of geeselyingnear the 

 boat, and although repeatedly driven off with stones, 

 they returned as often to make a fresh attempt. 



July 25th. — Yesterday afternoon some of our 

 people employed in cutting grass upon a small island 

 close to the ship, stumbled upon a huge sea-lion 

 asleep in one of the pit-Hke recesses among the 

 tussocks. At first it was supposed to be a dead 

 bullock, but the beast on being disturbed rose upon 

 his fore flippers, and, displaying a formidable array 

 of teeth, roared loudly* at the disturbers of his 

 rest, who, being unarmed, rushed helter-skelter to 

 the boat and went off to the ship. They returned 

 immediately with an assortment of pikes, muskets, 

 and pistols sufficient to ensure the destruction of a 

 host of sea-lions ; but after cautiously investing the 



* " Sometimes when we came suddenly upon them, or waked 

 them out of their sleep (for they are a sluggish sleepy animal), 

 they would raise up their heads, snort and snarl, and look as 

 fierce as if they meant to devour us ; but as we advanced upon 

 them, they always ran away ; so that they are downright bullies." 

 —Cook's Voyages, Vol. IV. p. 187. 



