THE SEA LION. 131 



in fact, their tumultuous utterances are beyond description. A rookery of the 

 matured animals presents a ferocious and defiant appearance ; but usually, at the 

 approach of man, they become alarmed, and, if not opposed in their escape, roll, 

 tumble, and sometimes make fearful leaps, from high precipitous rocks, to hasten 

 their flight. Like all others of the seal tribe, they are gregarious, and gather in 

 the largest numbers during the "pupping season," which varies in different latitudes. 

 On the California coast it is from May to August, inclusive, and upon the shores 

 of Alaska it is said to be from June to October ; during which period the females 

 bring forth their young, nurse them, associate with the valiant males, and both 

 unite in the care of the little ones, keeping a wary guard, and teaching them, by 

 their own parental actions, how to move over the broken, slimy, rock -bound shore, 

 or upon the sandy, pebbly beaches, and to dive and gambol amid the surf and 

 rolling ground -swells. At first the pups manifest great aversion to the water, but 

 soon, instinctively, become active and playful in the element ; so, by the time the 

 season is over, the juvenile creatures disappear with the greater portion of the old 

 ones ; only a few of the vast herd remaining at the favorite resorts throughout the 

 year. During the pupping season, both males and females, so far as we could 

 ascertain, take but little if any food, particularly the males ; though the females 

 have been observed to leave their charges and go off, apparently in search of sub- 

 sistence, but they do not venture far from their young ones. That the Sea Lion can 

 go without food for a long time is unquestionable. One of the superintendents of 

 Woodward's Gardens informed me, that in numerous instances they had received 

 Sea Lions into the aquarium, which did not eat a morsel of nourishment during a 

 whole month, and appeared to suffer but little inconvenience from their long fast. 

 As the time approaches for the annual assemblage, those returning or coming 

 from abroad are seen near the shores, appearing wild and shy. Soon after, how- 

 ever, the females gather upon the beaches, cliffs, or rocks, when the battles among 

 the old males begin for the supreme control of the harems ; these struggles often 

 lasting for days, the fight being kept up until one or both become exhausted, but 

 is renewed again when sufficiently recuperated for another attack ; and, really, the 

 attitudes assumed, and the passes made at each other, equal the amplifications of a 

 professional fencer. The combat lasts until both become disabled, or one is driven 

 from the ground, or perhaps both become so reduced that a third party, fresh from 

 his winter migration, drives them from the coveted charge. The vanquished ani- 

 mals then slink off to some retired spot, as if disgraced. Nevertheless, at times, 

 two or more will have .charge of the same rookery ; but, in such instances, frequent 

 defiant growlings and petty battles occur. So far as we have observed upon the 



