392 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PR1BILOF ISLANDS. 



The last pup was the only one among the 111 on Lukaniu which was in a condi- 

 tion for examination. 



One adult female was examined which had probably died from a bite in the neck. 

 Decomposition was too far advanced to make examination of the internal organs 

 possible. 



A second adult female died in parturition , from false presentation of the fetus, 

 which was full time. 



REEF ROOKERY. 



In the afternoon the counting of dead pups was resumed on Keef rookery. The 

 observers passed through the middle of the rookery driving everything to the right 

 and left, making a reasonably accurate count. Mr. Adams and Judge Crowley were 

 present. Professor Thompson took notes while Mr. Lucas dissected the dead pups 

 fresh enough to handle. 



COUNT OF DEAD PUPS. 



Only 2 dead pups were found on Ardiguen rookery. 



In the first of the wedge-shaped masses of seals on the Keef, 163 dead pups were 

 counted, 3 dead cows, and 2 dead bulls. The adult seals were all too rotten for 

 examination. In the second smaller wedge, which ends at a little sandy shore with a 

 hauling ground beyond, were 56 dead pups and 1 dead cow. In the third mass, which 

 extends along the shore, not forming a distinct wedge or extending far inward, theie 

 were 63 dead pups and 2 dead cows. In the fourth and largest mass, which ends in a 

 broad hauling runway and extends up to the pile of rocks behind to the hauling 

 ground of the Keef, there were 169 dead pups and 9 dead cows. Eleven of the pups 

 were in the runway of bachelors above the pond. In the long patch between the two 

 ponds were 197 dead pups and 5 dead cows. The middle of this sandy and somewhat 

 muddy flat is especially fatal. A smaller runway separates this from the next patch, 

 which lies on the rocks along the water front ending at the cliff in the middle of the 

 end of the parade ground. In this patch there were 146 pups and 2 dead cows. From 

 the first to the second cliff beyond there were 43, and from here to the end of the 

 rookery there were 123 pups and 2 dead cows. 



Totals for the entire rookery: Pups, 950; cows, 24 j 1 bulls, 2. 



Most of the pups had been dead for some time, the fur being worn off the head 

 and in some cases oft' the entire body. Probably not more than 10 dead pups fresh 

 enough to examine, besides those turned over to Mr. Lucas, were seen on the rookery 



RELATION OF GROUND TO THE DEATH RATE. 



It becomes evident that there is an important relation between the number of 

 dead pups and the nature of the ground on which the harems are located. In the 

 worst tracts (the flat and sandy areas) there is an average of 2 pups to a harem; in 

 the more favorable tracts, 1 pup to a harem. In Kitovi the ratio is less than 1 109 

 pups to 168 harems. 



1 In 1897 42 dead cows were counted on this same rookery. In many cases the cows were plainly 

 bitten and torn by the bulls. The diminished number of cows seemed to have left as idle bulls animals 

 which had had harems in former years and which were consequently rendered unusually savage. 



