FVR SEALS. 157 



"Wherever a long, continuous shore line is occupied as a breeding -rookery, 

 neutral passages are set apart at convenient distances, through which the j^ounger 

 seals may pass from the water to the upland, and return, unmolested. 



" Constant care is necessary lest thoughtless persons incautiously approach the 

 breeding -grounds, as the stampede of the seals' that would result therefrom always 

 destroys many of the young. The old males are denominated by the natives 

 Seacuth (married seals). These welcome the females on their arrival, and watch 

 over and protect them and their young until the latter are large enough to be left 

 to the care of their mothers and the younger males. Those under six years old are 

 not able to maintain a place on the rookery, or to keep a harem, and these are 

 denominated Holluschuck (bachelors). These two classes of males, with the full- 

 grown females, termed Motlcu (mothers), form the three classes that participate in 

 the duties of reproduction. 



"By the first to the middle of April the snow has melted from the shore, and 

 the drift ice from the north has all passed. Soon after this period, a few old male 

 seals make their appearance in the water near the island, and after two or three 

 days' reconnoissance, venture on to the shore and examine the rookeries, carefully 

 smelling them. If the examination is satisfactory, after a day or two a few climb 

 the slopes and lie with their heads erect, listening. At this time, if the wind 

 blows from the village toward the rookeries, all fires arc extinguished, and all 

 unnecessary noises avoided. These scouts then depart, and in a few days after, 

 small numbers of male seals of all ages begin to arrive. The old patriarchs soon 

 take their places on the rookeries, and prevent the younger males from landing. 

 They thus compel them to either stay in the water or go to the upland above. 

 In locating, each old male reserves a little more than a square rod of space to 

 himself and his ten or fifteen wives. 



"Male seals continue to arrive in small numbers daily, a few of which are year- 

 lings ; those two, three, four, and five years old arrive in about equal proportions. 

 Those older than this are more numerous than the younger, each one of which 

 battles his way to his old place on the rookery, or, taking a new one, prepares to 

 contend for it in case the owner comes to take it. As they acknowledge no right 

 but that of might, the later comer has to select again, or fight for his rights on 

 his chosen spot. 



"About the 15th of June the males have all assembled, the ground being then 

 fully occupied by them, as they lie waiting for the females to come. These appear 

 in small numbers at first, but increase as the season advances, till the middle of 

 July, when the rookeries are all full, often overlapping each other. 



