178 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
1935. Considering the rate at which 3-year-old seals were arriving 
when killings were discontinued in 1939, it is believed that more than 
5,000 additional seals could have been taken if killings had been 
continued through the month of July. The larger reserve of 3-year- 
old males should help considerably in reducing the average harem 
when these animals are able to take their stations on the rookeries as 
harem bulls. 
Peculiar conditions prevailed throughout the entire sealing season. 
In spite of the large average harem, large numbers of capable harem 
bulls continued to remain on the hauling grounds throughout the 
entire killing period and there were numerous strong bulls at the end 
of the season which had no doubt taken their positions after the 
earlier-arriving harem bulls had retired. 
Though harems were pretty well broken up for a number of days 
before sealing was discontinued, there were comparatively few cows 
and very few 2-year-olds or yearlings in the drives. 
For comparative purposes preliminary harem counts were made on 
the various rookeries throughout the season, and some very interesting 
results are shown. On June 27 Mr. Johnston counted 125 harems 
on East rookery, St. George Island, but on July 21 he found only 102 
harems there. Under normal circumstances it would be safe to pre- 
dict an increase in harem bulls of at least 75 percent during the 
period stated. On July 8 Mr. Johnston counted 78 harems on 
Zapadni Reef, St. Paul Island, but on July 18 there were only 76 
harems. : 
No branded bulls were observed on any rookery this season. The 
albino bull first noted in 1935 was seen in two of the earlier Reef 
drives this season and then disappeared. Mr. Johnston observed an 
albino pup on Zapadni rookery, St. George Island. 
BULLS 
As in previous years, a census was taken of harem and idlé bulls. 
The census on St. Paul Island was taken jointly by the Superintendent 
and by Edward C. Johnston, who conducted the census each year 
from 1921 to 1927, inclusive. The census on St. George Island was 
taken by Mr. Johnston alone. : 
The published census of harem and idle bulls for 1938 stated that 
“there is a possibility of a shortage of bulls within the next few years,” 
and also that ‘‘it would be advisable each year to make an additional 
reserve of males.” 
The census of harem bulls for 1939 showed a much larger average 
harem than usual, a condition which cannot be entirely accounted 
for, as there were numerous capable harem-size bulls in the drives and 
among the idle-bull class throughout the entire season. It is hard to 
understand why all these bulls did not take up permanent positions 
and secure harems. 
The sharp reduction in the total number of harem bulls may possibly 
be due in part to the fact that in recent years killings were continued 
until the close of July, with no additional reserve of 3-year-olds being 
made throughout the killing season. This, however, should not have 
any particular bearing on the present situation, for in 1931 a total of 
5,226 seals were reserved before August 1, and in 1932 2,244 were 
reserved before that date. The seals reserved in 1931 and 1932 would 
