276 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 



September 8. Seals are present in large numbers everywhere, the pups hauling 

 out for play near the village, indifferent to the presence of human beings. The waters 

 of the cove are alive with them and they literally swarm the shore about the Point 

 Warehouse. 



September 12. Seals in undiminished numbers remain at Northeast Point and 

 far down the north shore. 



October 20. Seals are hauled out at Tolstoi and the Reef in nearly as great 

 numbers as in August; less numerous at Zoltoi, Kitovi, and Lukanin. The larger 

 proportion by far are cows and pups. The latter class is also to be seen in large 

 numbers in the water. 



October 31. The natives urged permission to begin killing pups, claiming 5,000 

 would be needed. With a view to protect the seal life, the number of pups to be killed 

 was fixed at 4,400, the natives being required to take more bachelors, their skins to 

 go into the quota. It was shown that the natives were supplied during the year 

 ending July 30, 1880, with no less than 11,801 small seals, making an average net 

 weight of 8 pounds for the pup seals and 32 pounds for the larger seals, a total weight 

 (estimated) of 255,928 pounds, or an average of 700 pounds a day for every day of the 

 year, or more than 2 pounds a day for every native man, woman, and child on the 

 island. 1 



November G. A drive of pups was made from the Reef to make up the total of 

 4,400 for the season. 



November 22. The majority of the seals have disappeared ; comparatively few 

 are at the Reef, Kitovi, Lukanin, Tolstoi, and Southwest and English bays. 



December 31. Seals have been scarce on land since the late heavy storm; but 

 to-day several hundred appeared upon the Reef, while Sea Lion Rock and the water 

 about it are black with them. A number are reported at Tolstoi and Southwest Bay, 

 but more at Kitovi and Lukanin. 



1881. 



January 3. Small drive was made from Tolstoi, the last of the season, and 123 

 killed. A total of 2,308 large young seals and 4,413 pups killed for winter food. 



February 1. A few seals are reported in the water at Northeast Point; none on 

 land. 



April 24. Three or 4 fur seals were seen near Sea Lion Rock in the water, possibly 

 bachelors which have been about the islands all winter. 



May 1. A bull seal was seen at Speel, near the village. 



May 4. Five seals, including 1 bull, are in the water off the Reef. 



May 5. A dozen bull seals are hauled out at Kitovi, 2 at Northeast Point, and a 

 number seen in the water off Lukanin. 



May 6. Two bull seals are hauled up on the Cove Spit (Lagoon). Fourteen bulls 

 are reported at Lukanin. 



May 10. Ten bulls are at Kitovi and 20 at Lukanin. 



1 This entry puts the matter of waste through the killing of pups aud under-sized seals in its true 

 light; but. as though the agent who had undertaken "to protect the seal life" had survived his 

 usefulness, we hear nothing of him after this year, and nothing further is said about the killing of 

 pups and small seals. 



