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Show 528 THE SECRETARY ON ADDITIONS TO THE MENAGERIE. [Nov. 12, About the 9th of January last, Lecomte again left Port Stanley in the Governor's schooner for Port Salvador, at the northern extremity of East Falkland. On this as on other occasions, on passing the " Volunteer Rocks," the Fur-Seal of the Falklands (Otaria falklandica) was seen in considerable numbers. On a fine day, by the aid of a glass, some 100 or 150 of this Seal may be distinguished lying on these rocks; but the violence of the surf renders it impossible to approach them in a small schooner. On reaching Port Salvador the numerous inlets were diligently searched for Sea-Lions, but here, where these animals were formerly so abundant, not one was met with. Lecomte next tried the vicinity of Island Harbour, on the east coast, but was again unsuccessful, only meeting with a single example of this species. Returning to Port Stanley he found the stock of Penguins required replenishing, and made another visit to Volunteer Lagoon for this purpose. About the beginning of March, Lecomte left Port Stanley again in the Governor's schooner for "Sea-Lion Island," off the south shore of East Falkland, with the expectation of here, at least, meeting with the animal whence the island has received its name. But he was again disappointed, not a single Sea-Lion having been found in this locality. But on the southernmost of the Kelp Islands, lying further north, which were visited on the return voyage, a herd of about thirty individuals of this animal was discovered ; an old male (of which the skull was preserved) was shot, and four young ones (two males and two females) were captured. The female Sea-Lion produces her young (rarely more than one at a birth) about Christmas-day ; so that these animals were between three and four months old when captured. Lecomte returned at once to Port Stanley with his captives, but found much difficulty in rearing them. The supply of milk was limited ; and small fishes, such as they could eat, were with difficulty to be had. The last of the four died upon Good Friday (April 10th), whereupon he immediately determined to set about getting a fresh supply. The Governor's schooner being now employed upon other service, Lecomte hired for this purpose the schooner ' Felis' (Capt. Hansen), a vessel of about 20 tons, usually engaged in the Penguin and Seal fishery*, and left Port Stanley on May 23rd. At Kelp Island, the first spot visited, they could not land, from bad weather, but Sea- Lions were observed with the glass. On the 30th of May they were on Great Island in Adventure Bay, and here succeeded in capturing the only two Sea-Lions met with, both of which were young females. On the 8th of June two others (one male and one female) were taken at North Point Island, off the same coast, the female being that which is now in the Society's Gardens; and Lecomte immediately returned with all four of them to Port Stanley. From Port Stanley Lecomte proceeded home by the packet 'Fawn,' * Four vessels engaged in this trade at Port Stanley last year are stated to have made altogether 50,700 gallons of Pengiin oil. The destruction thus caused amongst these birds may be realized when it is considered that eight Penguins are estimated to make one gallon of oil. |