SEAL LIFE ON THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 7 
disturbing the herd, the change that has taken place here is scarcely 
perceptible in the photographs. Although the same area is occupied 
by breeding seals as in 1892, and is so indicated on the chart, the 
change is there expressed by the words ‘“*Thinned out slightly since 
1892.” Photographed July 15. 
Little Hast rookery presents the same appearance as in 1892. I am not 
able to detect any change, and the photographs taken there do not 
seem to indicate any. Photographed July 15. 
North rookery.—The seals are disposed on this rookery much as in 
1892, but a slight decrease is perceptible, which is also showin by the 
photograph taken at station 5. Photographed July 14. 
Starry Arteel rookery.—The scattered fringe of seals along the main 
rookery visible in 1892 now seems to have been absorbed into the main 
body of breeding seals. ‘The chart will be found to indicate a reced- 
ence toward the bluff at two or three points. Bachelor seals seem also 
to be less numerous and were not found distributed so far back as 
usual, the higher positions on the hill being mostly unoccupied this 
year. Photographed July 14. 
Zapadnie rookery shows more shrinkage than any other of the St. 
George Island rookeries. The decrease is perceptible in the photo- 
graph taken at station 6. The main breeding ground on the hill slope 
by the bluff is decidedly scattered as compared with 1892, and there 
are two breaks in the narrow breeding ground along the beach. The 
hauling ground of bachelors is much more thinly covered, and seals 
were not found as far back as in 1892. Photographed July 13. 
CONCLUSIONS AS TO CONDITION OF ROOKERIES, 
Taking all the rookeries of the Pribilof Islands into consideration, it 
may be safely asserted that the total number of seals upon them has 
decreased to an appreciable extent since the summer of 1892. The 
annual increase of young seals has not, therefore, been quite sufficient to 
offset the loss caused by the continuance of pelagic sealing in the North 
Pacific Ocean. It is evident, however, that the closing of Bering Sea to 
sealing vessels during the period of the modus vivendi has had a most 
salutary effect upon the rookeries of the Pribilof Islands, and that their 
present condition, so nearly stationary as regards the number of seals 
since this regulation came in force, is distinetly traceable to the pro- 
tection thus afforded. 
ADDITIONAL PROTECTION FOR THE ROOKERIES. 
The erection of watchhouses at all the rookeries and their connection 
with the villages by telephones and roads has been commenced, and the 
continuance of this work can not be too strongly urged. The organiza- 
tion of the natives into regular watchmen is not only desirable for the 
systematic care of the rookeries, but would be a most effective system 
of discipline for them, as a class of people living most of the time in 
enforced idleness. 
A light mounted field piece, such as a Hotchkiss rapid-firing gun, 
would be a valuable aid in the work of protection. Sealing vessels 
have at various times approached the islands for the purpose of sealing 
or raiding the rookeries, and a thorough protection can not be assured 
during the absence of Government vessels, which must sometimes 
happen. 
