42 SEAL LIFE ON THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 
the corpus luteum not yet developed. From these studies, the first of 
the kind, it would appear that female fur seals are first impregnated 
at the age of 2 years, and bear their first young at the age of 3. It is 
also apparent that nursing females are already pregnant when they 
begin feeding at sea. In all cases in which the condition of the uteri 
and ovaries could be made out with certainty it was found that preg- 
nancy occurs annually and in the right and left horns of the uterus 
alternately. Some of the nursing females examined were, from the 
appearance of their teeth, judged to be very old. These observations, 
apparently demonstrating a wonderful regularity in the breeding of 
the seal, are of special importance in calculating the length of time 
that would be required for the restoration of the Pribilof rookeries if 
complete protection could be secured for female seals of all classes. 
Of 123 stomachs of seals examined, 49 were empty or contained merely 
abdominal worms or bloody mucus. Of 73 with food, 46 contained 
chiefly squid, 23 pollock or cod, while 4 contained salmon. The majority 
had mixed with the squid or larger fishes the bones of very small fishes 
resembling sand lants or tomeod—perhaps the young of pollock or cod. 
These examinations of seals taken off soundings at different times 
and places indicate that seals find plenty of food bey ond the great fish- 
ing banks; that squid is the favorite food; that pollock and small fishes 
come next, while salmon and cod rank last, at least in this part of 
Bering Sea. 
The catches of seals for 1894 and 1895 were made for the most part 
off soundings. 
Table showing the results of observations made on fur seals taken at sea in Bering Seay 
August 11 to 21, 1895, respecting sex, age, pregnancy, and food. 
SCHOONER M. M. MORRILL. 
[Latitude, 55° 12/ north; longitude, 170° 25’ west. Date, August 11.] 






a | Ovaries. 
E | | ——$—$<<—_<_______ ase 
Uterus Sear result- Ac : 
g zs l Signof | 
= Sex. | Age. | hornshow-, ing from recent im- | Stomach contents. 
= | ing former former z ; 
a f : pregnation | 
a | | pregnancy. pregnancy | (corpus 
= (corpus albi- | lat 
oy cans). uteum). 
Mees Biyearse js selsiss oie 7ts 15 <f "GOH ne SBEEe |>sis sioieicemiocies Small quantity of small fish and 
| squid. 
HMemaleyes el yeatenmee ee eisai) ie\leitesaleieiaie\cYa/siciero!= |e erseeeeteteners Do. 
Sood dows a -2iyearseerns sacsmese mec snensist= ace ~sicisci| Seeicinccieeteete| Do. 
Saone oie: |Palbyearer Sa ae eee Ses. cece see | Saas neceeeesel Small quantity of small fish and 
| squid (sand lants ?). 
Se do ....| Nursing .-|) Right...... Right.......| Left ........| Small quantity squid beaks. 
sonbe dow s20|s ied opetn maint o man onumrdo: sd.44leet se dots | Squid; small fish. 
Bic tate do Brees Gal) II) maoocs LLC ees eOeeI Lay tal MiGs oeaea| Do. 
Bapue do SABRI Ks) Right..... Right.......| Left .....--.| Two pollock. 
Bese CON MO se ett tase (? | Right.......| Empty. 
Shafer Ose s| 2552-0 eee Rightens-eevniohte. 2 2)| Ivette ss One squid. 
Berrie LO) creat [2a 2 Osaioe ee Ol totecnernetne Ol see | tater. Ol oem ees) emp tay; 
Byaieye Gover) sO see, 2 (? Joear QO). eee Squid 
dapde dows--lseee2ao ++ -| efbthe=-- 14) COSbia--esie ol) OSU iter ios] UPL. 
Beane GO} oe eas One| eee OO eee passe G Ove canes |so> -edOn eae eollock: ssqridybedks. 
Better Oeics alle memete ee eee llcicic ce aieieatatt earl cnn crsiocteserersiell Ena tye 
meta doyeeae|tee-. do Bau rineoe er ees Br Seer ae See eee eee oma fish; squid. 
sapoe Clin sail beeoaats) S45z))Nencanige cose Bight.--0.0) We hteeeaceee Small squid. 



a Serial number used only where specimens were saved. 
