LAND AND SEA KILLING. 



211 



/Statistics regarding land and sea killing, 1871-1897. 



Note: A study of this table clearly indicates the decline of the herd since 1884, as measured on 

 its hauling grounds, and shows in the expansion of pelagic sealing the cause of this decline. 



a These figures refer to the hauling grounds of St. Paul. 



6 These totals include all males killed for any purpose on the islands. 



e In 1876 the killing waa begun at an unusual date, said to be on account of an exceptionally late season. 



d Closed by order of the agent in charge. 



e Years of the modus vivendi. 



/These figures as originally published (28,904 and 20,890) in an appendix to the report of the fur-seal conference are 

 slightly in error because of confusion resulting from an effort to eliminate certain food skins taken in the fall of the year 

 preceding. 



NOTES ON FOREGOING TABLE. 



1. The figures refer to the Pribilof herd. 



2. The dates given for the filling of the quota refer only to St. Paul Island. The same is true of 

 the data regarding the number of drives and hauling grounds. 



3. The totals for land killing represent all males killed for any purpose the filling of the quota 

 and the supplying of food for the natives. They therefore include pups and seals whose skins were 

 rejected because stagy or otherwise unsuitable. The figures are taken from the list of daily killings ' 

 prepared by Colonel Murray, and, in accordance with the method adopted by him, they begin and end 

 with January instead of with August, the date at which the quota is begun and ended. 



4. The totals for the pelagic catch are taken from the statistical tables - published by the 

 Treasury Department for 1896. 



5. The later date at which the quota w:is filled in 1871-1873 is due to the fact that in these years 

 part of the quota was taken the preceding fall. After 1893 the regular driving for the quota was all 

 done in June and July. 



6. From the log of the islands it would appear that the season of 1876 was a peculiar one, the 

 movements of the animals being some two or three weeks behind that of preceding years. 



7. The contraction in the killing on land in 1876-77 and 1882-83 was voluntary on the part of 

 the lessees. 



8. In 1891-1893 land killing was limited under the modus vivendi. Bering Sea was closed for 

 the same reason in 1892-93, but pelagic sealing went on oft' the Northwest Coast. 



9. The driving for the year 1890 was closed on July 20 by order of the Department. 



1 Published to 1890 in Senate Doc. 137, 1895. 



2 Fur-seal catch, season of 1896. Treas. Dept. Doc. 1932, 1897. 



