Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-06-20
The Fur Seal. at Their KooLeries.

AHc Fur seals At lheIf hOOkeFIes.
BY CHARLES BRYANT.
The male fur seal does not attain mature size
until about the sixth year. He then measures
in total length from seven TO eight feet, and six
to seven in girth. His color is then dark brown,
with gray oyerhair on the neck and shoulders.
When in full flesh his weight varies from five TO
seven hundred pounds. These and no Others
occupy the rookeries Tor breeding grounds) with
the females.
A full grown female measures four feet in
length and two and half round the body, and
differs from the male in form by having a some
what longer head, shorter neck, and greater
tullneSS of body posteriorly. She usually weighs
from eighty to hundred pounds. HercolOT when
she first leaves the water, is dark steel-mlXed
on the back, the sides and breast being white:
but she gradually changes somewhat, and
in eight or ten DAYS after landing becomes
dark brown on the back and bright orange on
the breast sides and throat. Hence it is easy TO
distinguish those that have just arrived from
those that have been several days on the shore.
The female breeds the third year, and is full
grown at four years.
The yearlings weigh from forty TO fifty pounds,
and are dark brown with lighter shade on the
throat and breast The ages Of those between
one and six years are easily distinguished by
the differences in size and stare OF development
of the animals.
The breeding rookeries, which are frequented
their pups, occupy the belt of loose rocks along
the shores between the high water line and the
base of the cliffs or uplands, and vary in width
from five to forty rods. The sand beaches are
used only as temporary resting places and for
play grounds by the younger seals these beaches
being neutral ground, where the old and infrm
or the wounded may lie undisturbed.
Wherever long continuous shore line is &C.
cupied rs breeding rookery, neutral passes are
set apart ut convenient distances, through which
the younger seals may pass from the water to
the upland and return unmolested. Often
continuous line, moving in single file, may be
seen for hours together going from the water to
the upland, or the reverse as the case may be.
When suddenly disturbed while sleeping on the
upland by an attempt of an animal TO cross the
rOokery at any other place, general engage
ment ensues which often results in the death or
serious Gripping of the combatants. After the
females have arrived at the rookeres, many OF
them, as well as their pups, are trampled to
death in these struggles.
Constant care is also necessary lest thought
less persons incautiously approach the breeding
grounds, as the stampede oil the seals resulting
therefrom, always destroys many of the young.
The old males are denominated by the natives
"Seacutch" (married seals). These welcome the
females on their arrival and watch over and
protect them and their young until the lat
ter are large enough to be left to the care OF their
mothers and the younger males.
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 veteran male seals make their appear
ance in the water near the island and after two
or three days reconnaissance venture on to the
shore and examine the rookeries carefully
smelling them. II the examination is satsiac-
tory, after day or two few climb the slopes
aud lie with their heads erect listening. AT this
time, if the wind blows from the village towards
.Hs finn Gllad nd nj
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 "OOkereS
and prevent the younger males from landing.
They thus compel them to either stay in the
water or 20 to the upland above.
In locating, each old male reserves q little
more than square rod of space to himself For
this proceeding they evidently have two rea-
sons. First, from the constant liability to sur
prise from their rear, which is their weakest
point, they require room enough to make one
leap in turning before being able TO defend
themselves or to attack their enemies. Their
eyes being adapted to seeing in the water, their
vision is feeble when out OF that element. Con-
sequently they have to rely mainly on the senses
of hearing and smell for warning of danger !;
hence, while DOING on the rocks every move
ment or sound in their vicinity keeps them con-
stantly turning towards the direction from
requires that amount Of space for the reception
of his ten or fifteen wives.
Male seals continue to arrive in small numbers
daily, few of which are yearngS; 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 fights his way to his old place on the
rOokery, or, taking new one, prepares TO con-
tend for it in case the owner comes TO take it..
As they acknowledge no right but that of might,
the later conner has to select again. The growl-
ing and fighting are constant, so that day and
night the aggregated sound is like that of an
approaching railway train.
About the 18th of June the males have all as
sembled, the ground being then fully occupied by
them, as they lie waiting for the females to
come. They appear in small numbers at first,
but increase as tie season advances till the md
die of July, when the rookeries are all full, the
females often overlapping each other.
The bachelor seals swim all day along the
Shore escorting and driving the females on tC
the rocks as fast as they arrive. AS soon as {
female reaches the shore, the nearest male goes
down to meet her, making meanwhile noist
like the clucking of hen 10 her chickens. II,
bows to her and coaxes her until he gets be
tween her aud the water so that she cannot es
cape him. Then his manner changes, and with
harsh grOwl he drives her TO a place in his
harem. This continues until the lower row o
harcms is nearly full Then the males higher
up select the time when their more fortunate
neighbors are of their guard to steal thei
wives. This they do by taking them in thei
mouths and lifting them over the heads of thu
other females, and carefully placing them il
their own harems, carrying them as cats dc
their kittens Those still higher up pursue thu
same method until the whole space is occupied
Frequently struggle ensues between two males
for possession of the same female, and botl
Selling her at once pull her in two or terribl,
10 hnrt uifb hpir bp
is all filled, the old male walks around com
PLEASANTLY reviewing his family, scodng :hOs'
who crowd or disturb the Others, and fiercely
driving off all intrnders. This surveillance al
ways keeps him actively occupied.
In Two or three days after landing, the female
give birth to one pup each, weighing about si1
pounds. 1t is entirely black, and remains o
this color the whole season. The young ar
quite vigorous, even at birth, nursing very SooI
after they are born. The mother mauifests
strong attachment for her own young, and dis
tinguishes It's cry among thousands. -AtdSkt
Hopoh