202 CALIFORNIA MAMMALS. 



These Sea Lions migrate but little, if indeed their move- 

 ments may be given that name. At one season there seems to be 

 a dispersion from the breeding ground to the nearest well stocked 

 feeding ground, and at the reverse season a gathering at the 

 breeding ground. In some localities a good fishing ground is 

 found in the immediate vicinity of their favorite islets, which 

 they then occupy continuously. Like most of the larger seals this 

 species is polygamous. The sexes manifest but little attachment 

 for one another. The young are said to be born from May to 

 August, and at first are averse to the water, but in about a month 

 they enter the water and soon become expert swimmers. 



The food is fish, which are swallowed without mastication. As 

 the Sea Lions are very expert and swift swimmers they are able 

 to overtake miost fish by direct pursuit. But little economic use 

 is made of this Seal. At some seasons when they are fat some 

 are killed for their oil, and their hides are used for making glue. 



The following extracts from my notebook may be of interest. 

 "April first, 1893. This morning Mr. Fenn and I rowed to the 

 'seal rocks' near the south end of Santa Catalina Island to ge!t 

 sketches of the Sea Lions. As we neared the rocks we saw sev- 

 eral Sea Lions on them and heard their loud 'hong-hong.' 

 Several were on the outer group of islets, but none were on the 

 outermost rock, which was perhaps a hundred feet from the islet 

 on which the greatest number were lying. The morning was cloudy 

 and calm, with but little sea, and we cautiously pulled up behind 

 the rock which rose five or six feet above the water. Mr. Fenn 

 got out on a little shelf that was awash when the larger swells 

 passed. In front the rock was low enough to see ovei" and made 

 a rest for the' sketch book. I had to keep clear of the rock to 

 avoid smashing the boat and out of sight as much as possible, 

 which was no easy job' in the long" swell. 



"In another direction was a large rock about two hundred 

 yards away, on which a few Sea Lions crawled now and then, 

 but did not stay long; these I could watch as they were in full 

 view, though they did not appear to notice me at that distance. 



