The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-08-31

meir capture thought TINT by sur
prlstng them they could drive the
lions over the cliff, and that the ire
mendous fall upon the sharp rocks
below would kill every one Of the
animals. The surprise was successful.
Every lion Jumped to what seemed
certain death, but to the chagrin Of
the hunters. when they arrived at the
foot Of the cliff where they expected
to find the lions either helplessly mutt
lated or dead. the last animal Of the
herd was seen plunging into the sea.
The California sea lion Is a tough Gus
toner.
To kill Q yea Hon the bullet must hit
HIM u o. near the ear, for ball In
my other part Of the body has no
more effect than 1t would in a grizzly
bear. Sea lions can scent man as
readily as do deer, 30 that great eau
ton Is necessary when approaching
within shooting distance. The profes.
sional lion hunter 10 a skilled marks
man, and In emptying the sixteen
shots from his rifle into fleeing herd
he can usually moot twelve Of the
beasts through the head, killing them
instantly. II wounded the lion reaches
water and escapes.
The sen lion eats fish, mollusks, and
sea fowl Their principal feathery
food In northern waters Is the gull,
and their manner Of decoying and
catching these birds displays no little
degree Of cunning. When In pursuit
the animal dives deeply under water
and swims some distance from where
II disappeared; then rising cautiously
1t exposes the tip Of Its nose above the
surface OF TIN ealle dime giving 1t q
rotary motibi 1ikS that 6f q water
bug ut play. The unwary bird on the
wing seeing the ehjeet near by,
alights to catch It. while the sea lion
settles beneath the waves and at one
bound, with extended Jaws, seixes IT.
screaming prey and instantly devours
It. It Is estimated that a sea lion cats
twenty-five to forty pounds Of fish
daily. He takes large fish in his
mouthsf gives 1t shake, bites out
large ecA, drops It, and then diving
again catches It and rising to the
surfA6B takes another nibble, until It
is Consumed. Al one time there were
25OM YEA lions living Ia. one Of the
large California bays. They ate more
fish than the fishermen caught, and an
effort was made to have the legisla.
ture offer a bounty Of 81 a skin for
the hides of these lions. Instead of
that; q law was passed to protect the
animals In the harhOr Of San Firm.
cisco. and fishing industries have suf-
fered in consequence. The lion can 10
for month without food.
Hunters use the hides Of the lions for
leather and glue. The bristles or
whiskers are sent to China. The Mon.
golians use these hairs for ornaments.
mounting them with gold. Lion livers
are used as medicine by the Chinese
and are constdered . radical cure for
many acute diseases.
Farther north the walrus thriyes.
The chief use Of the great tusks of
the walrus 10 to aid In landing upon q
rocky shore and help in fits clumsy
locOm0tion. A walrus makes q ter
rifle noise. His roar can BE- heard for
several miles. The animal, though saw
age In appearance, is harmless and In
offensive. II attacked or enraged he
is a terrible fighter, especially when
defending the young, toward which the
walrus exhibits much affection. A fair.
sized walrus has girth of 10 to IA
feet and weighs 1000 pounds, the skin
alone Weighing $50 to 400 pounds, and
the head from 90 to 80 pounds. The
walrus was the sen horse of ancient
writer's. Its hide, oil and tusks are all
that white hunters save from the huge
carcass. Indians depend upon the meat
for food during the winter. They make
bird nets Of the sinews. From the in
testines waterproof clothing Is made,
and the soles OF tho fippers furnish
footwear.
On North island in this beautiful land
locked Bay Of Ban Diego the hunter
finds thousands Of quail and jack rab-