PUE-SEAL INDUSTRY. 89 



found dead in February, 1917). In the season of 1915-16 the take 

 on this island was 211 blue and 17 white pelts (including 1 white pelt 

 taken in February, 1916, from a fox found dead). It will be noted 

 that the take in the 1917-18 season was considerably less than that 

 of either of the two preceding seasons, the decline from the season of 

 191.5-16 being more than 50 per cent. This small take was made in 

 the face of favorable weather conditions and an increase in the num- 

 ber of traps used. The natives, who receive $5 for each fox pelt 

 taken, requested that a brief close season be established for the 

 island. The solution of the problem of maintaining on this island a 

 fox herd of a size in keeping with the possibilities probably lies in the 

 adoption of the plan of feeding the foxes for a portion of the year. 



St. George Island. — In December, 1917, 330 pelts were taken on 

 St. George Island, fox killings having been begun about the middle 

 of the month; in January, 1918, 225 pelts; and in February, 1918, 

 49 pelts. Including two pelts taken from foxes found dead in 

 November, 1917, and one from an animal found dead in March, 1918, 

 the take for the season of 1917-18 consisted of 602 blue pelts and 5 

 white pelts. Continued cold weather made it practicable to con- 

 tinue the taking of pelts until February 8. During the season 200 

 pairs of foxes were captured, marked, and released as breeders. 

 Many foxes not marked also remained on the island augmenting the 

 reserve. The herd was in fine physical condition, and it is believed 

 that the take of pelts will prove to be of a high grade. 



REINDEER. 



On May 19, 1917, there were counted on St. Paul Island 105 adult 

 reindeer and 39 fawns, a total of 144 animals. 



On St. George Island the herd on June 30, 1917, consisted of 70 

 animals aged 1 year and upward and 26 fawns, a total of 96. Three 

 adult males were later killed for food purposes. 



The various activities which have been initiated on the Pribilofs 

 recently, coupled with the small force of employees available, made it 

 impracticable to give as much attention to the utilization and devel- 

 opment of the reindeer as was desired. However, the herds are able 

 to maintain themselves, are of no expense, do not materially exhaust 

 the resources of the island, and will be available for more intensive 

 care and utilization when circumstances permit. 



RADIO SERVICE. 



The Navy Department kept the radio stations on St. Paul and 

 St. George Islands in commission throughout the year. The services 

 which these stations render to the Bureau's work in affording a 

 prompt means of communication with the islands are invaluable. 

 Cooperation between the personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries and 

 that of the radio service is mutual and of unquestioned value to both 

 services. 



PATROL OF THE NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN AND BERING SEA. 



The act of Congress, approved August 24, 1912, giving effect to 

 the North Pacific Sealing Convention of July 7, 1911, provides, 

 "that it shall be the duty of the President to cause a guard or patrol 



