THE ZAPADNI DEATH TRAP. 565 



There is no scarcity of idle bulls at Zapadni and there are even more than last 

 year, but they have moved down to till the breeding space vacated by harems. Their 

 places of last year are in turn tilled with younger bulls. The intermediate hauling 

 grounds of the rookery are full of a still younger class of bulls, which in a year 01 

 two will still further augment the idle bull class. Scarcely a killable seal was to be 

 seen among them ; such as were on the hauling grounds of the rookery occupy the 

 extreme point just south of Southwest Bay. 



On the rocky reef which extends out from the foot of the cliff at Zapadni II end 

 were 400 or 500 seals, representing all classes of bulls and bachelors. This hauling 

 ground, which can not be driven from, must be added to those tending to furnish bulls 

 for the breeding grounds, whether special provision be made for them or not. 



Between this reef and the beginning of the rookery at some distance to the east 

 is a group of 3 harems in an isolated position. Their presence last year was noted 

 by Dr. Jordan. 



A dead seal lies among the bachelors on the reef. A dead cow is in the first 

 bunch of harems. Three dead cows, 2 dead bulls, and 35 dead pups are in the largest 

 gully. Two of the cows, 1 bull, and 22 pups have been added since the afternoon of 

 the 14th, when this place was last visited. Five other dead bulls lie on the slopes 

 about. 



ZAPADNI GULLY. 



This gully bids fair to maintain its reputation as a "death trap." We are able to 

 approach it sufficiently near to get a good view and watch it for an hour. Everything 

 is in confusion. The bulls are continually fighting, and in their mad rushes pups are 

 knocked about and trampled upon. None are seen to be actually killed, though that 

 fresh victims are constantly being added is shown by the fact that since the 14th the 

 number has increased from 13 to 35. Many cases of cow stealing were witnessed. In 

 two instances cows were almost torn asunder, 2 bulls having hold of each at once. 



The greatest trouble occurred at the sand flat where the gully connects with the 

 beach. Only half of this space was occupied by harems, which were crowded in a 

 dense mass. The. other half was covered with idle bulls, which were constantly 

 making inroads upon the harems. When a cow was stolen all the bulls were at once 

 in an uproar and began fighting. 



A large bull, blind in one eye, has the largest harem in the gully and easily holds 

 his own with his neighbors. At the second gully an idle bull, likewise blind in one 

 eye, is the most troublesome of all to get around. This gully shows none of the 

 confusion and turmoil of the other. It was filled with rounded bowlders, brought up 

 from the beach by the natives, last fall. They are not as big as they should be, but 

 -they stop the mad rush of the bull, and the pups lie curled up bes-ide them. In the 

 other gully the bull moves with astonishing swiftness and always in a direct line. 

 In this one he must dodge the stones and there is time for the pup to get away. 

 Considering how easy it would be with dynamite to blow up the whole snrtace of 

 this gully and all other dangerous pieces of rookery ground, it will be a piece of 

 criminal negligence if this is not done. 



The condition of this rookery, as well as others, shows the urgent necessity for 

 reduction of the present force of idle bulls, and steps should be taken to see that the 

 number of bulls is limited to the needs of the herd. It is safe to say that if only 



