CONDITION OF SEAL LIFE ON THE ROOKERIES 
OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS, 1893-1895. 
By C. H. TOWNSEND. 
oer, 

THE ROOKERIES IN b693: 
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, 
WASHINGTON, D. C., Mebruary 26, 1894, 
Str: I have the honor to inform you that during the summer of 1893 
an inquiry was conducted on the Pribilof Islands by the United States 
Fish Commission, in compliance with the following clause contained in 
the sundry civil appropriation bill for the fiscal year ending June 30, 
1894, namely: 
And the Commissioner of Fisheries is authorized and required to investigate, under 
the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, and when so directed to report 
annually to him regarding the condition of seal life upon the rookeries of the Pri- 
bilof Islands. 
The report upon this investigation by the naturalist of the Fish Com- 
mission steamer Albatross, Mr. C. H. Townsend, by whom it was con- 
ducted, is herewith respectfully transmitted, in accordance with your 
direction. 
Very respectfully, M. McDONALD, 
Commissioner. 
Hon. JOHN G. CARLISLE, 
Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. 
INTRODUCTION. 
The report herewith submitted is based chiefly upon the observations 
made on St. Paul and St. George islands between July 11 and August 
18, 1893, in conformity with the instructions issued for my guidance, 
and with the object of determining the conditions of seal life upon the 
rookeries of the Pribilof Islands during that period, as compared with 
the corresponding period of the previous year. It is accompanied by 11 
charts and 46 photographic views (105 plates),! corresponding mainly 
with those nade in 1892 by Mr. J. Stanley-Brown, special Treasury 
agent, and forming part of his report to the Secretary of the Treasury. 
Views were obtained from all of the photographic stations occupied by 
Mr. Stanley-Brown, but as the photographer of the Fish Commission 


1This set of charts and photographs not transmitted for publication, the accom- 
panying series for 1895, showing more reduced condition of rookeries, being deemed 
sufficient. 
3 
