ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1923 121 



SPECIMEN SEALS 



In 1923, from seals found dead, one adult female was prepared as 

 a specimen for the Colorado IMuseum of Natural History, and two 

 pup seals for the Fouke Fur Co. Kemittances of $2.50 and $2, re- 

 spectively, were received for these specimens, and in addition the 

 natives were paid for their work in securing them. 



SHIPMENT OF FUR SEALS TO STEINHART AQUARIUM 



A request was received from the director of the Steinhart Aqua- 

 rium, San Francisco, for a number of fur seals for exhibition and 

 educational purposes. The bureau compiled with the request with 

 the understanding that the expense entailed would be borne by the 

 aquarium, and that tlie animals or the pelts of any that died would 

 remain the property of the Government. Twelve seals were shipped, 

 of which 4 died en route. Of the 8 animals delivered at the 

 aquarium, 4 had died through July, 1924. 



FOXES 

 ' FOX-TRAPPING SEASON OF 1923-2 4 



The season's take of fox pelts on St. Paul and St. George Islands 

 consisted of 787 blue and 15 white pelts, a total of 802. 



On St. Paul Island trapping began December 11 and ceased De- 

 cember 18. The season's take, including 2 skins secured after the 

 close of trapping operations, consisted of 46 blue and 14 white fox 

 skins, a total of 60. The small take on this island, as compared with 

 recent years, is accounted for by the fact that trapping operations 

 were limited to four stations — Northeast Point, Marunich, Tsam- 

 mana, and Southwest Point. Furthermore, the work was carried on 

 under very adverse weather conditions, the men not succeeding in 

 obtaining any foxes at Marunich. The limitation of trapping to four 

 stations was due to the inauguration of fox-feeding experiments, it 

 being desired not to disturb the animals in the vicinity of places 

 where food was given them. Furthermore, it was felt that in view 

 of the prospective large amount of food that would be available dur- 

 ing future winters, as a result of systematic feeding operations, the 

 fox herd should be expanded as rapidly as possible. One of the 

 first steps necessary to accomplish this end would be, of course, to 

 provide a larger breeding reserve. 



On St. George Island the season's take consisted of 741 blue and 

 1 white, a total of 742 pelts. Trapping began in December and was 

 continued until the latter part of February, when signs of mating 

 were observed. Trapping for the purpose of securing data in regard 

 to the breeding reserve was continued until March 6. During the 

 season 265 males and 263 females were marked and released as breed- 

 ers on St. George Island. 



DEVELOPMENT OF FOX HERDS 



Early in the year the bureau secured the services of a veterinarian, 

 Dr. H. L. Van Volkenberg, previously employed by the United 

 States Biological Survey, for the primary purpose of developing 



