RECORD OF GEORGE MARSTON. 265 



mean width of 1,200 feet, equal to 105.1 acres. The westward clift's are bold, attaining 

 a height of 350 feet. 



October 21. A large school of "killers" was observed near East Landing. 



RECORD KEPT BY GEORGE MARSTON. 



November 6. The natives were informed that the number of pups to be killed for 

 food would have to be cut down to 3,000, as it had been too large. This was objected 

 to, and a compromise placed the number at 3,800. 



November 11. The total of pups killed for the year was 3,745. 



November 16. A drive of seals for food was made from Tolstoi, where they were 

 found in good numbers. A number of old bulls got into the drive. 1 



November 21. There are a good number of seals on Keef rookery ; a few old bulls. 



November 27. A visit to Lukanin showed but a few seals there. 



November 30. The seals have gone from the Keef. 



December 29. Natives returning from Northeast Point report 2,000 seals still 

 there. 



1876. 



January 15. Seals were seen to-day in the water off East Landing. 



March 12. 2 Four or 5 seals were reported in the water off North Shore. 



April 27. The native chief reports 2 seals in the water off the Eeef. 



March 3. The chief reports 2 old bulls hauled out at the Reef this morning, the 

 first seen this season. 



May 5. While walking about the Reef 13 old bulls were seen 8 hauled out and 

 5 in the water. 



May 17. The first bull came on Na Spil rookery to-day. Quite a number of old 

 bulls are 011 the different rookeries. They begin growling and snapping at each other, 

 " acting as if at home." 



June 1. On the Reef are a goodly number of bulls, but few holostiaki. The 

 rookery appears now about the same as it did last year ten days earlier. 



June 2. About 500 holostiaki have hauled out at Southwest Bay and many 

 old bulls are on the rookery. 



June 3. First drive for skins from Southwest Bay; 836 animals were killed. 



June 4. Captain Bryant, after a visit to all the rookeries, concludes they are just 

 about ten days later than last year. 



June 5. The first female of the season came to Na Spil to-day; the old bulls had 

 a hard fight for her. 



June 6. A drive was made from the Reef and 673 seals killed. From the above 

 drive 80 were turned back, some able-bodied males, some that will be able for duty in 

 a year or two, 3 and some yearlings too small. 



June 14. Captain Bryant made a visit to the Reef and found about 200 bachelors 

 on the point, 100 on the south side, and some 200 on Zoltoi. Five females were landed 

 in the bight on Gorbatch. About 20 per cent less bulls are on the breeding grounds 

 than at the same date last year. In the afternoon a visit was made to Kitovi and 



'In this note we have proof of the return of the old bulls after feeding. 

 -Evidently the bachelor seals have not left the vicinity of the islands this winter. 

 3 See reference to scarcity of reserves in preceding year, July 10 and 25. 



