together, of escaping with some one male, or at least of temporarily
pairing with him. This latter contingency has often been observed in
Scotland with female red-deer, as I am informed by Sir Philip Egerton
and others. (44. Mr. Boner, in his excellent description of the habits
of the red-deer in Germany ( Forest Creatures, 1861, p. 81) says,
while the stag is defending his rights against one intruder, another
invades the sanctuary of his harem, and carries off trophy after
trophy. Exactly the same thing occurs with seals; see Mr. J.A. Allen,
ibid. p. 100.)
It is scarcely possible that much should be known about female
quadrupeds in a state of nature making any choice in their marriage
unions. The following curious details on the courtship of one of the
eared seals (Callorhinus ursinus) are given (45. Mr. J.A. Allen in
Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoolog. of Cambridge, United States, vol. ii. No. 1,
p. 99.) on the authority of Capt. Bryant, who had ample opportunities
for observation. He says, Many of the females on their arrival at the
island where they breed appear desirous of returning to some particular
male, and frequently climb the outlying rocks to overlook the
rookeries, calling out and listening as if for a familiar voice. Then
changing to another place they do the same again...As soon as a female
reaches the shore, the nearest male goes down to meet her, making
meanwhile a noise like the clucking of a hen to her chickens. He bows
to her and coaxes her until he gets between her and the water so that
she cannot escape him. Then his manner changes, and with a harsh growl
he drives her to a place in his harem. This continues until the lower
row of harems is nearly full. Then the males higher up select the time
when their more fortunate neighbours are off their guard to steal their
wives. This they do by taking them in their mouths and lifting them
over the heads of the other females, and carefully placing them in
their own harem, carrying them as cats do their kittens. Those still
higher up pursue the same method until the whole space is occupied.
Frequently a struggle ensues between two males for the possession of
the same female, and both seizing her at once pull her in two or
terribly lacerate her with their teeth. When the space is all filled,
the old male walks around complacently reviewing his family, scolding
those who crowd or disturb the others, and fiercely driving off all
intruders. This surveillance always keeps him actively occupied.
As so little is known about the courtship of animals in a state of
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