304 



THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 



count the cows, and tbe 14 harems in this space were estimated on the basis of the 

 harems in which the cows were counted, giving a total of 243 cows. One hundred 

 and sixty-eight harems were found by actual count to have 2,909 cows. The total of 

 the rookery would therefore be 182 harems with 3,152 cows. Following is the detailed 

 count by harems: 



The actual count on Kitori rookery. 



Total cows (counted) ' 2, 909 



Total harems 168 



Average size of harems 17.3 



In the rear of the rookery 53 old bulls without harems were counted. There were 

 in addition 30 males which might be classed as half bulls, mostly 5-year-olds. 



Two dead pups were observed; one on a flat rock near the water and some 

 distance from any harem. It was wet, and had probably been drowned. The other 

 was lying among the cows of a very large harem (60 cows), and, judging from the 

 treatment another newly born pup received from these cows, it seems probable that 

 the dead one was killed by them. The newly born pup was roughly shaken by 2 cows. 

 At one time the cows had the little thing above the ground, each holding an end, and 

 both trying to pull it to pieces. It afterwards got away and toddled off'. No dead 

 pups were observed on the bluffs or slopes behind the rookery. 



The rookery seems to be at its fullest seasonal capacity. Nearly all the cows have 

 pups. Two were seen with placenta attached, showing recent birth. The mother of 

 one of these made an effort to bite off the umbilical cord. Some wet cows were seen, 

 and some were going into the water. Young bulls were trying to intercept these, and 

 pursued them a short distance in water. Some cows were noticed teasing bulls. Two 

 bulls were seen to copulate. One young bull (5 years?) held a single cow on a path 

 at some distance above the rookery. It is apparent that were old bulls lacking there 

 are plenty of young bulls ready to take their places. 



One young bull was seen with patch of skin 4 by 6 or 8 inches torn off the flank. 

 In front of the isolated rock pile photo station 14 were many bones of pups and a 

 number of dried bodies. 



Fighting was very common in the rookery, some old bulls being very vicious. 

 One old bull with a single cow had his jaw injured so that left canine projected 

 forward. Another bull also with a single cow had an injured jaw. 



Compared with Mr. True's count on July 8-10, 1895, it appears that there are 

 to-day 512 more cows on this rookery, and 28 more harems, while the number of cows 



1 To this must be added the 14 estimated harems, bringing the total up to 3,152 cows, and 182 

 harems. 



