HERDS DO NOT MINGLE. 101 



Q. In your opinion, do the seals en the Eussian side intermingle 

 with those on the Pacific side or are they a sep- 

 arate herd? — A. I think they are a separate Frank Johnson, p. 441. 

 herd. 



Have seen only three fur-seals in this region in twenty years; saw 

 them in May, 18 ( J0, traveling' along the north side 



of Attn Island, about 5 miles off shore, and mak- Samuel Kahoorof, p. 21i. 

 ing a northwesterly course. They were young- 

 males, I think. Fur seals do not regularly visit these islands now, but 

 about twenty-five or thirty years ago I used to see small squads of large 

 seals during the month of June feeding and sleeping about the kelp 

 patches off the eastern shores of Attu and Agattu Islands. They came 

 from the southward and traveled in a northwesterly direction. Never 

 saw any fur-seals east of the Semichi Islands, and do not think those 

 of the Commander Islands herd go farther to the eastward than that. 

 They decreased in numbers gradually, and during the last twenty years 

 have only seen the three above mentioned. Have never seen a nursing 

 or mother cow or a black or gray pup in this region, and do not think 

 they ever visit it. 



Q. In your opinion do the seals on the Eussian side intermingle with 

 those on the Pacific side or are they a separate 

 herd ?— A. They are a different herd of seals alto- Alex - McLean > P- 438 - 

 gether. 



Q. In your opinion do the seals on the Eussian side intermingle 

 with those on the Pacific side? — A. No, sir; I do 

 not think so. They are different seals in my Damel McLea »> P- 444 - 

 opinion. 



The seals of the Commander Islands are of a different variety from 

 those of the Pribilofs. Their fur is not so thick 



and bright and is of a somewhat inferior quality. j, w . Malowansly, p. 198. 

 They form a distinct herd from that of St. Paul 

 and St. George, and in my opinion the two do not intermingle. 



I was present as interpreter when the English commissioners were 

 taking testimony on Bering Island. They examined, among others, 

 when I was present, Jefim Snigeroff, chief on Bering Island, he being 

 the person selected by them there from which to procure the testimony 

 relating to the habits and killing of seals. This Snigeroff testified that 

 he had lived on the Pribilof Islands for many years, and knew the dis- 

 tinctive characteristics of both herds (Commander and Pribilof) and 

 their habits, and that he removed from thence to Bering Island. He 

 pointed out that the two herds have several different characteristics, 

 and stated that in his belief they do not intermingle. 



There are two great herds or armies of fur-seals that frequent the 

 North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. They are 

 quite distinct from each other and do not inter- Morris Moss, p. 341. 

 mingle. The one army appears off the coast of 



California in the latter part of December and gradually work their way 

 northward, and are joined by others coming apparently from mid- 

 ocean. * * * The other army proceeds along the Japanese coast, 

 and head for the Commander and Eobben islands. I believe the seals 

 always return to the place of their birth. 



