300 



THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 



any harem, probably drowned and washed up; it was gnawed by the foxes. One 

 dead and one living pup were found in another spot at a distance from the rookery, 

 probably carried away by the bachelors. 



The yearling bachelors are to be seen in little pods of half a dozen or so. They 

 appear to be as much afraid of the idle bulls that fringe their hauling ground as of 

 men. All the bachelors, large or small, are timorous and flee from man, as well as 

 from the bulls. Where the bachelor yearlings are at a distance from interference 

 they play among themselves like little dogs, rolling about and biting each other, 

 squealing when bitten. They compare with dogs of the same age much as Aleuts do 

 with white children. There is not much intelligence, flexibility, or savoir-faire about 

 them. In like manner the big, senseless, howling bulls compare to great, lusty boys. 

 Similar comparisons might be made for the 2-year olds, which are bigger than the 

 yearlings nearly as large as the cows. Cows are females of 3 years or more 

 Half-bulls are males of 4 or 5 years. 



In our efforts to count the harems it frequently happens that a herd of bachelors 

 will be startled, but on crouching down they soon become quiet. They seem not to 

 have good eyesight, but their sense of smell is more acute, 1 and if you are on the 

 windward side they become excited at much longer range, and when startled seldom 

 stop until they reach the sea, if the way is clear. They behave much as a flock of 

 sheep would. Sometimes they watch you with curious, but ineffective intelligence, 

 behaving like squirrels. One good-natured, sleepy bull was disturbed by the 

 commotion and awakened yawning and bleating in a high-pitched tone like that 

 of a cow. 



One case of copulation was seen. 



Yellowish excrement, apparently voided by bachelors, was seen on Zapadni 

 rookery in two places outside the harems. 



PRELIMINARY CENSUS OF ST. GEORGE. 2 



We may here summarize the results of the foregoing counts on the rookeries of 

 St. George as follows : 



a An average of the estimates of Dr. Stejneger and of Mr. Lucas, the former estimating 159 harems and 2,700 cows; 

 the latter 3,000 cows, which would increase the harems to 177. 



JULY 12. 



Landing was made at St. Paul Island during the morning, Colonel Murray taking 

 up quarters at the Government House, the others at the company's house. In the 

 afternoon Dr. Jordan and Mr. Clark made a partial count of Kitovi rookery. 



1 Subsequent observations lead us to doubt the reported superiority of the sense of smell in the 

 seal. It is probable that from the windward side the sense of hearing and of smell both are 

 quickened. 



-These figures were considerably altered after completing the census in St. Paul. 



