20 THE FUR SEALS OF THE I'RIBILOF ISLANDS. 



In Part II is given the minute and detailed journal of daily observations of the 

 members of the commission. This record, being the chief basis for the conclusions 

 in the general report, becomes a most important part of the work. To it is appended 

 an abstract of the record in the log of St. Paul Island for the pa^t twenty-seven 

 years, in so far as it pertains to the life history, and habits of the seals. 



The third division of the report contains the series of special papers and re]>orts, 

 already referred to, which deal with various phases of the life history, movements and 

 the surroundings of the seals, and which have been prepared by different members 

 of the commission and by various specialists. These take up in minute detail such 

 phases of the subject as have important bearing on the fur-seal question. 



In Part IV are included the reports for the seasons of 1890 and 1897 by Dr. 

 Stejneger on the Commander and Kuril islands, which form a continuation of his 

 more extended investigations in the season of 1895, the results of which have already 

 been published.* To the reports on the Commander herd such reference as has been 

 necessary to throw light upon the condition of the Pribilof herd have been made in 

 the general discussion. 



ITINERARY, 1896. 



The United States Fish Commission steamer Albutross, with the American com- 

 mission and Professor Thompson and Mr. Maeoun, of the British commission, left 

 Seattle on the morning of June 24, arriving at St. (ieorge Island, Bering Sea, on the 

 afternoon of July 8. July 9, 10, and 11 were spent in and about this island making 

 general observations, photographing the rookeries, and counting the breeding seals. 

 The time between July 12 and 18 was occupied in similar work on St. Paul Island. 



July 18 the Albatroxs steamed for Tnalaska, leaving Mr. Townseud there and 

 taking Dr. Stejueger to the Commander Islands. July 30 to August 9 were spent 

 about these islands, August 22 to 20 about the Kurils, and August 28 to September 2 

 about Kobben Island, reaching Hakodate, Japan, September 10. 



On July 28 Mr. Lucas, Professor Thompson, and Colonel Murray visited St. George 

 Island, the tirst two returning to St. Paul on August 5. Mr. Townsend returned from 

 I'nalaska August 8, and he and Mr. Lucas spent the time until the 12th at sea, on 

 board the Rush, boarding vessels of the sealing fleet. 



August 8 to 14, inclusive, was occupied in counting dead pups on St. Paul. 

 A similar count was made by Mr. Lucas and Mr. Macoun August 10 to 21 on St. 

 George. 



On August 1C Professor Thompson and Dr. Jordan left St. Paul Island in H. M. S. 

 Snti-Uitr for the Commander Islands, spending August 24 and 25 on the rookerie- of 

 these islands and returning to St. Paul on September 1, bringing with them Mr. 

 Barrett Hamilton, another member of the British commission. 



Mr. Townsend left St. Paul on the company's steamer Homer for San Francisco 

 August 23. Colonel Murray returned from St. George September 1 and on the fol- 

 lowing day made experiments in branding pups on Lukaniu rookery. Messrs. Liu as 

 and Barrett-Hamilton spent September 2 to 5 at sea on the Ifuxh, among the pelagic 

 Dealers. 



*The Kiuwiau Fur Seal Islands, Stejne^.-r: Hull. f. S. Fish Com.. 1896. 



