ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1929 



335 



In 1928 there was an actual decrease in the number of hulls Oii 

 Kitovi ajid Lukaiiin rookeries, due to late ice conditions. This 

 year these rookeries recovered their normal position. 



Zapadni rookery, St. George Island, showed a decrease in harems, 

 while South rookery, on the same island, showed an unusual increase. 

 A hauling ground also appeared on South rookery, which undoubtedly 

 claimed a great many of the bachelors that would otherwise have 

 hauled out at Zapadni. This is unfortunate, as it is impossible to 

 hold a drive or killing at South rookery. 



To facilitate the counting of harems, three additional tripods were 

 erected in the spring — one each on Reef, Gorbatch, and Polovina 

 rookeries. All other tripods and walks were repaired, and in some 

 cases extensions were made on account of greatly expanded harem 

 areas. Additional tripods and extensions to walks are contemplated 

 before another season. 



A great many iron-branded 9-year-old bulls were observed holding 

 harems. A number of these bulls also were to be found on hauling 

 grounds throughout the season. No matter what their age, most 

 of the late-arriving bulls are probably forced to spend the major 

 portion of the season on hauling grounds or in the rear of rookeries. 



Rookeries now cover such extensive areas that idle and surplus 

 bulls do not remain continuously in the rear of rookeries or on hauhng 

 grounds. Large numbers of these bulls constantly roam between the 

 hauUng grounds and the rookeries. 



Number of harem and idle bulls, approximate ratio of idle bulls to harem bulls, and 



average harem, 1929 



