688 MARINE ANIMALS OF NORTHWEST COAST. 



least, the main walrus population has always lived on the edges of 

 the n\>e ice, which advances in winter to the latitude of the Pribilof 

 Islands and retreats with the melting- pack ice in summer to the Polar 

 Sea. Yet certain small colonies have in historic times always existed 

 in certain localities winter and summer, perhaps attracted by an excep- 

 tional abundance of their favorite food. A small bunch of walrus for 

 many years occupied Walrus Island, of the Pribilof group, but this 

 was an assembly of a peculiar character. It was entirely composed 

 of old males driven away from the herds by the competitive valor of 

 their younger and more active congeners, and forming a sort of old 

 gentleman's club, existing in torpid dignity away from an atmosphere 

 of irritating disrespect. We are informed that this retreat is now 

 untenanted and the assembly scattered or destroyed. 



The walrus feeds on clams, sea snails, and other mollusks of the kind 

 which frequent sand banks in shallow water. These are rooted out of 

 the sand by the aid of the powerful tusks and swallowed whole, with 

 a stone or two to aid digestion. The shells pass through the body in 

 the natural way and are discharged on the rookeries, largely in an 

 unbroken state. It is therefore necessary that the herd should have a 

 large area to dig over, as such enormous animals must require a large 

 supply of food. They appear to increase slowly, and being, when 

 well fed, of a rather sluggish disposition, fall an easy prey to the hun- 

 ter intent on ivory or oil. I understand that the Secretary of the 

 Treasury has forbidden the wanton shooting of these animals by trav- 

 elers bound to Nome, who, while waiting on board ship for the ice to 

 open, formerly amused themselves in this way. The number of the 

 animals has very greatly diminished owing to destruction by whalers 

 unable to get any whales, who a few years ago attempted to make up 

 for other deficiencies by tilling up with walrus oil and ivory. This 

 has not been done of late years owing to the great distress the absence 

 of walrus brought upon the natives of the Arctic coast, who were very 

 dependent upon them for food and coverings for their boats. The 

 diminished numbers of the animals, of whom 11,000 were killed in a 

 single season at the height of the fishery, have also tended to make 

 their pursuit unprofitable. 



It is evident that the walrus can not be preserved in confinement, 

 nor could a herd flourish in a restricted area. Their preservation, in 

 the case of the small herds referred to as stationary, is a very simple 

 matter. If they are let alone, they will take care of themselves, as 

 hitherto. If protected from the poacher, they need no other care. 

 The way to keep them in existence is not to kill them. They will do 

 the rest. 



