The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-03-09

row entrances, the ScOtchmen follow
them there in the middle Of the night,
during the months of October or Novem-
Der. They row to the mouth of the cave
In isht boat, and then penetrate into
its recesses, when they suddenly strike
lights ana utter loud cries. At the sud-
den light and unaccustomed sounds the
seals quit their retreat in utmost con-
fusion. The intrepid Scotchmen dart
back to the sides Of the cavern to let the
greater part go by, and then fall upon the
laggards, despatch them by heavy blows
on the nose, and then carry the bodies
outside.
A few lines will not be out of place
here respecting that tiercest of the seal
family-the sea lion-whose habits are
thus interestingly described by that most
clever and observant of our naturalsts,
Mr.. Henry Lee:
1.-The sea lion in remote or secluded
places is more Shy and wary than the fur
seal; but when accustomed to the sight
of men, as ON the Californian coast, often
frequents thickly inhabited localities, en-
tering inland bays and rivers, and at
times disporting itself among the ship
ping. But we learn from the authors al
ready quoted, that its habits and the
mode OF its capture are everywhere alike
in all essential particulars. On the Pry-
bylov Islands, as we'll as on the Califor-
MAN coast, the males make their appear
ance about the first week in May, at first
in small numbers, but soon after more
| plentifully. On their arrival they leap
out of and dart through the water with
surprising rapidity, frequently diving
outside the rollers, and the next moment
emerging from beneath the crest of a
breaker. Waddling up the beach, or
climbing the rocks with seeming effort,
each veteran 'bull'-some of them are
over twenty years old-makes the way
to a spot in the 'rookery,' as it is called,
which he has occupied in former years,
whilst those who come for the first time
as full grown members of the community
(never under six years of age), select a
new station, where they will await the ar
rival of the females. The space of ground
over which each endeavors to secure com
plete control is generally about "a rod in
extent; but unless he is strong enough to
defend and hold it against all antago-
nists, he is quickly ousted from it by u
new conner and forced to take back
seat The labor of maintaining a posi-
ton in the rookery is really serious
business for those bulls which occupy
the water line, and their comba's have
often resulted in DEATH
Mr.. Elliott's remarks on the fur seal
will also apply to the sea lions :-"Some
OF the bulls" he says, "show wonderful
l.fr nfrth RI aH
one veteran who was am ing the first to
take up his position, and one on the
water line, when at least fifty or sixty
desperate battles were fought VIGOROUSLY
10y him with nearly as many different
seals, who coveted his position; and when
the fighting season was over, | saw him
covered with scars, gashes raw and
bloody, an eye gouged out, but lording it
bravely over his harem of fifteen or twenty
cows, all huddied together on the same
spot he had first chosen. The fighting is
mostly or entirely done with the mouth,
the opponents Selling each other with the
teeth, and clenching the jaws; nothing
but sheer strength can shake them loose,
and that effort almost always leaves an
ugly wound, the sharp incisors tearing
out deep cutters in the skin and
blubber. or Shedding the fiippers
into ribbon strips. They usually APP
proach each other with averted heads and
great many false passes before either
one or the other takes the initiative by
gripping; the head is darted out and
back as quick as a flash, their hoarse
roaring and quick, piping whistle never
ceasing, their fat bodies writhing and
swelling with exertion and rage, fur fly
| ing in air, and blood streaming down
all combined make a picture fierce and
savage enough, and, from $ great novel
ty, exceedingly strange at DIST sight.
''In these battles the parties are always
distinct the offensive and the defensve
if the latter proves the weaker. he with
draws from the position occupied, and is
never followed by his conqueror, who
placently throws up one of his HAD
flippers, and fans himself, as it were. to
cool himself from the heat Of the conflict,
with peculiar chuckle of satisfaction OF
contempt, and with sharp eye open for
the next covetous bull. The young males
are not allowed to land"
The cows come up from the sea from the
LIST to the 9th of June. "As soon as one
reaches the Shore" says Captain Bryant,
"the nearest male goes down to meet her.
making a noise like the clucking of hen
to her chickens. He bows to her, and
coaxes her, until he gets between her and
the water, so that she cannot escape from
him; then his manner changes, and, with
harsh growl, he drives her to place in
his harem. This continues until the
lower row of harems is nearly full. Then