Australian Fur Seal, Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus #2

Plate 71. The Australian Sea-Bear or Fur Seal, Euotaria cinerea (now known as the Australian Fur-Seal, Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) found in Phillip Island

Thinking it desirable to visit the actual locality in Western Port Bay, where the French voyagers with Quoy and Gaimard originally found the type specimen of this species, still in the Paris Museum, I last year went out in a small steamer from Phillip Island to the smaller island on which these Seals abound in the breeding season. The coast is so rocky, and the surf so dangerous that it is only on rare occasional days that a landing can be safely made, and on this occasion is was quite impossible to do so. On looking with a good binocular, one could soon make out that the greater number of what looked like brown bare, rounded rocks over the surface of the island were really Seals. On the steam whistle being blown they all started up, and, with the precise action of a flock of crowded sheep driven by a dog, they awkwardly galloped in a confused cluster, jumping up on those in front in their hurry to get down to the sea, into which most of them plunged; a few old large males alone standing their ground, well raised up on their bent fin-like legs, as in our plate, with their broad breast to the foe, and head raised, threateningly showing their teeth, and erecting the hair of the neck angrily, like a short mane. After a little while, scores of the females and younger males came swimming out to our little vessel to look at us, raising their kind, intelligent, good-humored, dog-like heads, with beautiful large, brown, soft eyes, looking like large Retriever Dogs with the pleased and friendly expression they wear when approaching their masters.

Making an arrangement with an old sealer living on Phillip Island, and greatly aided by Mounted Constable George Ardill, stationed on duty there, I ultimately got for the Melbourne Museum the fine old male, the adult female, and the young one, figured on our present plate in the attitudes of life when on land, as noted at the time, and now represented by Dr. Wild (the accomplished artist, formerly of the Challenger Expedition) from the preserved specimens set up with every attention to accuracy of form and position of the parts. These additional lithographs of this species, not figured by Mr. Gould, and which will soon become extinct on our shores, were desirable because our former figure, in Plate 31 (Decade IV), was of an unusually grey specimen, and only gave the position of the limbs and body when swimming, which differs little from others Seals; while the attitudes assumed on land, shown in the present plate, are peculiar to the Seals having external ears.

The task of procuring the required specimens was by no means an easy one, for not only is it difficult to land, even in the calmest weather, but if a boat approached the island by day the Seals would take to the water, and not return so long as the men were to be seen. It was therefore determined to land on the first calm evening, and bring blankets and food for the night, to be passed in some of the caves found there, so that, as the Seals came back at night to rest, the sealers might quietly emerge before daybreak, and, selecting an adult old male and female, make sure of them with heavy rifles used for the purpose, and take chance of catching a young one in the confusion. This was at last successful, and I was enabled to get accurate drawings of the diverse profiles of the male and female, and of all the soft parts while yet in the flesh.

During the breeding season the roaring of the old males may be heard half a mile off, high above the thunders of the surf, and they show great courage and ferocity in defending the females and young when attacked by man. The young are very easily tamed, and one was going about the kitchen of the hotel at the time of my visit like a rather lame dog, following the housekeeper everywhere with affectionate pertinacity, and playing with a young kangaroo and some other tame animals about the house with all the fun of a kitten or young puppy. It would come when called like a dog, and obviously liked to have its head stroked with the hand.

Having told my friends, Trooper Ardill and the sealer, Ross, that I should like to have their observations on the creature in writing for publication, the former furnished me with the following interesting account, which I give in his own words, conveying Ross's observations and his own:-

Cowes Police Station, 12th March 1880.

In reply to your enquiries relative to the Seals which frequent the Seal Rocks off Phillip Island:-The Seals come to the rocks about 1st October. The time of bringing forth the pups is between 10th November and 10th December. They do not commence to breed until they are three years old. The male (or bull) during the pupping season will ascend the rocks and stop for one or two months without food, and is extremely attentive to the female (or cow) and pups. When the females fight and quarrel he restores order. The bull is very fat in the beginning of the season and yields from five to ten gallons of oil, and in three weeks after will hardly yield one gallon, the yield of course depending on the age and size of the bull. The cows are seldom killed, as they have very little fat. It is against the rule of sealers to kill a cow or the pups.

They live on fish of various kinds. I have found the backbones of fish 2 feet in length. The ear leather-jackets, parrot fish, squid, &c. I found one backbone 2 feet 4 inches; it may have been a barracuta or pike; I don't think it was a shark. I have found a few joints of a shark's backbone.

The bull is very furious at pupping season, and when disturbed will go into the water and return in a few minutes. Out of season they go to sea in the morning and return at night. When fighting they strike each other like the boar; their teeth are about 1½ inches long, and cut terribly. I have seen cuts from 1 to 10 inches in length.

The usual color is a yellowish-brown, although some have been seen that were spotted, and some a beautiful grey. They generally select flat, inaccessible rocks, or, where they are not disturbed, they select the grassy patches.

The cow generally brings forth one pup, sometimes two. They keep good watch, and care affectionately for their offspring. They circle round them in rough stormy weather, and keep them from any wash or sea that may come over the rocks. I have seen three pups washed off the rocks, and the cows have immediately followed and brought them on the rocks again in an astonishingly rapid manner. I have also seen them catch a pup in their mouth, and throw them 10 feet high, and never hurt them.

The bull's voice or noise is guttural, and, when angry, sounds something like "oough oough;" the noise is much heavier than any animal I know. Then trying to pacify the cows it sounds like "yah yah," said quick and short. The noise of the cow is very much like a cow of the bovine species. The pup bleats like a lamb.

Their sight is not so good, so it is generally said. I think, myself, their sight good enough, but they not smelling man don't think he will harm them; when they get the least scent they are off like a shot.

During the pupping season they keep an incessant noise during the night, and generally keep quiet during the day. They look clumsy and awkward on the rocks, but they are very lively when on the move.

I consider them as quick in their movements as any fish that swims. They strike at one another with the rapidity of lightning. I have seen one bull prevent another from landing for several hours. They move along by drawing the hinder part of the body forward and under, and then giving a jump and push forward.

If they are disturbed before they pup, they will leave the rock and go to another.

The cow has six teats, I think, which they draw into the udder or body when not suckling their young. The milk is very white and strengthening. Should a cow die or be killed, her pup is suckled by the other cows. This I am told is the case, but I can't vouch for it. All I write is my experience on the Seal Rocks, off "The Nobbies," at Phillip Island, Victoria.

I can't say whether they inhabit these rocks all the year or not, but don't think so. I have heard Ross say they do not.

As regards their habits, fur, ears, &c., &c., the only difference being in the colour; some are darker than others.

They are found along the coast, as far as I know, from Phillip Island to Wilson's Promontory. Nearly all the islands in Bass's Straits re inhabited by seals.

I know of no other fur or eared seal; in fact there is no other seal about here.

(Signed) GEORGE ARDILL,
Mounted Constable.