ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1932 



75 



have worked to the rear of the rookeries, where tliey would have been 

 seized by the idle and surplus bulls, and additional harems would 

 have been established. 



Computation of hrccdhig coics, based on annual incrca.se of 8 percent, and of 



avrroffc harem, in 1932 



PUPS AND COWS 



The estimated number of cows and pups was determined in the 

 usual manner, b}^ applying an increase of 8 percent to the numbers 

 computed for the previous year. 



The percentage of dead pups determined in 1922 was applied as 

 the death rate on each rookeiT. It is believed that fewer dead pups 

 are found in dry .'reasons than in wet seasons. When there is much 

 rain, the pups are constantly wet and appear to suffer considerably 

 from the cold for some time after they are born. 



It is believed that the cows and pups have been increasing at a 

 rate higher than 8 percent. It is hardly possible that the large 

 increase in the number of 3-year-old males available for killing 

 could be entirely due to lower mortality rates. The large number 

 of surplus males available for breeding purposes at the end of the 

 season would indicate that all late-arriving cows and virgin cows 

 are now being properly served — a condition which did not exist 

 when there was a shortage of breeding bulls. 



