520 THE FIR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 



shifting and wandering about. In all likelihood they come and go from the water. 

 The old brown bulls stick to their places closely. One bull has located himself in a 

 little breastwork of rocks built up by the natives to shoot ducks from in the winter 

 time. It is inclosed on three sides. The bull sits facing the opening as if proud 

 of his "castle" and ready for all comers. 



When roused up, one bull shows some bad cuts and many show slight ones 

 partially healed. No fighting has been seen among them; only occasional instances 

 of "bluffing." There must, however, have been some fighting. The regular harem 

 bulls have now reached an understanding. 



The only cows seen on the rookeries of St. George have been the 2 on East 

 rookery. The watch on North rookery at least has been constant enough to have 

 found any that might have appeared. 



The vessel will get off to-night for St. Paul. Fortunately there has been little to 

 see on the rookeries, else this week lias been practically wasted so far as observations go. 



JUNE 12. 



We landed at St. Paul Island at 8 o'clock. After greeting the people, I walked 

 out to Gorbatch. The bulls were present wherever harems were last year. A few 

 young bulls are in the domain of the idle bulls, but this class has not yet begun to 

 occupy the cinder slope of Gorbatch. At the west end bulls are located all along 

 under the cliff to Ardiguen. No harems were here last year. 



ARDIGUEN. 



There are three bulls on the flat at the mouth of the slide of Ardiguen. One is 

 our scarred friend of last year. The others look familiar, but have no distinguishing 

 marks. There are 20 bulls altogether on the little rookery. Surely the distinctness 

 of this scar a year after disproves Mr. Elliott's contention that the brand will heal 

 without a scar. 



Reef rookery is well stocked with bulls, but they do not extend back beyond the 

 line of harems; in other words, there is no fringe of idle bulls. About 500 bachelors 

 are grouped in the largest of the runways of the rookery. Mingled with them are 

 many bulls. The ponds have been drained and the bachelors are lying in them. 

 There are none back in the regular hauling ground, and no others on the Reef. 



Bulls lie under the cliff on the east side of the peninsula and in the little cove. 

 There are no bachelors on Zoltoi sands or bluffs. A half dozen young gray bulls lie 

 at the angle of the sands. The sand beach has built away out since last season. It 

 certainly extends as much as 50 feet farther out than at the close of last season, and 

 it was then much farther out than at the beginning. The sand has drifted over the 

 ice, which is melting and letting the sand bank down in places. 



Since we arrived at St. George it has been dry and clear, two of the days giving 

 continuous bright sunshine. To-day is as fine a day as could be found anywhere. It 

 is said there has been neither rain nor fog on the islands so far. 



THE SURVEY. 



The surveyors are hard at work on the rookeries. One force is just completing 

 Gorbatch. They have gone over all the rookeries and marked conspicuous stones at 



