12 SEAL LIFE ON THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 
CONDITION OF THE ROOKERIES. 
ST. PAUL ISLAND. 
Northeast Point rookery.—Although a comparison of the charts and 
photographs of this rookery for 1894 with those made in 1893 may indi- 
cate a slight diminution of seals, I am not prepared to state that this 
is the case. Owing to unfavorable weather the observations of last 
year were made later than they should have been, after the spreading 
of the rookeries had commenced. The data for the present year having 
been secured earlier, the difference in the records should be accounted 
for accordingly. I note, however, an additional break in the belt of 
breeding seals in the immediate vicinity of the Point. 
Polavina rookery.—Although the photographs from Station G show 
very little change in position, the rookery when viewed from other 
points appeared to have a well-marked break in the center, which will 
be found indicated on the chart. Good weather having followed very 
stormy weather, the seals had taken to the water to a noticeable degree 
when the photograph was made. I think that no actual decrease can 
be recorded. 
Little Polavina rookery apparently exhibits no diminution since last 
year and very little change in position. 
Lukannon rookery.—No perceptible change in the number or position 
of breeding seals was noticed here. 
Ketavie rookery.—This small and gradually diminishing rookery, I 
believe, shows a shrinkage since last season, but not a very marked one. 
Reef rookery.—No decrease is apparent. The change in distribution 
is slight. 
Lagoon rookery remains unchanged since last year. 
Tolstot rookery.—Vhe seals here are perhaps a little more concen- 
trated at the north end of the rookery; but otherwise there is no change. 
Zapadnie rookery.—Vhe hill portion of this rookery is unchanged, but 
the very thin portion extending about a mile along the shingle beach 
exhibits several breaks never before noticeable. 
While the fur seal, naturally so gregarious, returns year after year 
under normal conditions to its accustomed breeding grounds, there are 
indications that it is less at home upon tracts which are becoming thin, 
and is inclined to concentrate upon adjacent breeding tracts more 
thickly covered with seals. This appears to be the case with the above- 
mentioned Ketavie rookery, and in the case of Zapadnie to be borne 
out by the appearance of an increase upon the adjoining rookery of 
Upper Zapadnie. This scattered beach rookery is illustrated by one of 
the photographs. 
Upper Zapadnie rookery.—An increase since last season being indi- 
cated here, | went over the ground very carefully, and, although it may 
not be apparent in the photographs, the chart will be found to show 
changes which I believe mean a slight increase. 

ST. GEORGE ISLAND. 
Hast rookery.—lt is possible that this ronkery has suffered a slight 
shrinkage since last season, but I found it difficult to decide that such 
was the case. 
Little Bast rookery remains unchanged. 
North rookery.—Slight and unimportant changes in distribution were 
observed, but no apparent decrease. 
Starry Arteel rookery remains unchanged. 
Zapadnie rookery.—There is a widening of the break along the beach 
portion of the rookery, but no decrease was noticeable. 
