ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SHAL INDUSTRIES 343 
The weather, however, was extremely warm. When counts were 
made on North and Staraya Artil rookeries on St. George Island the 
temperature was around 80° F.; as a result, harems were entirely 
broken up, and it was impossible to make a satisfactory count. The 
majority of the cows and bulls had taken to the water and the pups 
were mostly grouped at the edge of, or paddling in, the water. Pups 
usually do not take to the water until about August 10, but this year 
the majority had learned to swim by that time. 
There were less than 300 bulls on Staraya Artil rookery proper when 
count was made, as compared with the normal number of approxi- 
mately 600 harem bulls. * The rookery area, however, had expanded 
considerably, and as harems were repor ted to have been as highly 
congested as previously the usual increase was credited to the rookery. 
This same condition applied to a lesser extent on all St. George rooker- 
les, and estimates were therefore pPased according to conditions 
involved. 
At the close of the season there was a shortage of mature bulls on 
the rookeries and hauling grounds of both islands. Many of the 
bulls that had taken to the water because of the warm weather 
evidently didnotreturn. It is therefore impossible to state definitely 
that there were sufficient bulls to take care of all virgin females and 
late arriving cows. The shortage may result in a lower birth rate 
next season. 
A number of strong vigorous harem bulls that were iron branded 
in 1923 were observed at various rookeries. These bulls are now 
16 years old. 
The albino bull noted in 1935 was not observed during the season. 
Because of the early breaking up of harems it was necessary to 
make more than the usual number of estimates of harem and idle 
bulls. 
Estimated number of harem and idle bulls, approximate ratio of idle bulls to harem 
bulls, and average harem, 1936 


















Approxi- 
rae Harem Tdle mate ratio Average 
Rookery Date bulls alls Total Sealers hearer 
bulls 
St. Paul Island: 
LOWE Sean Se ae ey ee July 19 427 83 510 15 40. 82 
Heike sa oo ke a ee eee Leadon 193 32 225 1:6 43. 66 
Gonbatehess* 2 ~~ fos6 ep ee July 20 961 187 1, 148 l4) 46. 05 
PAM OISWCNG as == 2 = te ee E00 == 93 13 106 sof 45. 01 
JR Er Se Ne es ena are (6 oy eee 1, 780 452 2, 232 1:4 49. 94 
SivilltGhilewsesn—- ! tee eee ==d0o==— 435 85 520 1:5 62. 54 
ILE go yoo: a ee eS a ree July 19 1) Se es Th 4 pas ait = 59. 00 
PROISCOies* === =2= - = 2 = 2 Eidos = 1, 165 287 1, 452 1:4 44.92 
ARON moa 8 Se Ses oa ee July 18 1, 050 258 1, 308 1:4 47. 90 
bittle:Zapadni— - =. = eae ee dos 546 87 633 1:6 46.95 
Zapadnin Resi. —- -- ee = 2 sae eee = some 59 26 85 12 15. 07 
Polowina=s82 22-2. - fives “sos eee ee ae td ome = 420 102 522 1:4 43. 03 
Rolowina Clits: — 1 xo. a eee =4d0=2-=5 320 87 407 1:4 30. 92 
Little: Poloving-__2--- =" "22 aa ee Edoese= 112 44 156 1:3 32. 18 
MOTI OVAL Sy soe o-=* = =e een “July 17 308 81 389 1:4 21. 03 
Mostochmniee: fa... we ee oe Pa ee BR (ee 2,185 429 2, 614 1H) 33. 00 
Totals asose 2 oo a a ee ee ae ae 10, 055 7 9A} 12, 308 1:4 | 42.74 
St. George Island 
INORG aaa = = 2 2 eee ee eee a July 21 790 86 876 1:9 44. 39 
StanayargAntils 2 = - yg ee 223002524 600 185 785 13 44. 04 
ZACH se ee dee ae eS Tee July 22 186 61 247 1:3 20. 05 
Out: Sai ee he 5 oops a a ee Beko (omen 139 9 148 a Lt Uf 6. 29 
HastuRecfes == 2 Line 2ees aa TT July 21 163 4] 204 1:4 49. 30 
ast | Clifiss 2202 sy Rees eS ==GO-es = 388 98 486 1:4 59. 14 
FROUSIS ee ee cee ts Rae A eee 2, 266 480 2, 746 135 42. 84 
otal (bothyislands) ies - see eee ae 123321 2, 733 15, 054 1:4 42.76 


