DISTURBANCE OF BREEDING SEALS. 231 



All firearms were forbidden and never have been used on these islands 

 in the killing and taking of seals. In fact, un- 

 usual noise even on the ships at anchor near these TV. C. Coulson,p. 414. 

 islands is avoided. 



Visiting the rookeries is not permitted only on certain conditions, and 

 anything that might frighten the seals avoided. The seals are never 

 killed in or near the rookeries, but are driven a short distance inland, 

 to grounds especially set apart for this work. I do not see how it is 

 possible to conduct the sealing process with greater care or judgment. 



The breeding rookeries were never disturbed in any way, and most 

 stringent regulations were enforced to prevent 

 their being molested. Saml. Falconer, p. 161. 



The breeding rookeries are never disturbed in any way by the 

 employes on the island and the most stringent 

 rules are enforced against the use of firearms, Louis Kimmel, p. 173. 

 allowing dogs upon the islands, or disturbing the 

 seals in any manner. 



Great care was always exercised in approach- H. H. Mdntyre, p. 49. 

 ing the sealing grounds to disturb them as little 

 as possible. 



In the process of securing the annual catch of seals for their skins, 

 the breeding animals were very little disturbed. 

 No one was allowed to molest them; dogs were n. H. Mclntyre, p. 51. 

 banished from the islands. The use of firearms 



was forbidden. The rendering of oil from seal-blubber was stopped 

 after the second year's trial, because the smoke and odor seemed to 

 disturb the rookeries near the works, and every precaution was adopted 

 w T hich good husbandry could suggest for the perpetuation of the 

 industry. 



Special precautions are taken not to frighten or molest the animals 

 on the rookeries. Even fires are not permitted to 



be made where it is thought their light or sight , {no. Malowansky, p. 198 

 Of the Smoke might alarm them. (Commander Islands). 



In all respects great care was taken to prevent the unnecessary 

 harassment of any class of seals, whether old or 

 young, male or female. The breeding rookeries H. G. Otis, p. 86. 

 themselves were never under any circumstances 

 disturbed. 



Although the seals are comparatively tame after being on the land 

 for a short time, and do not get scared so easily 

 as is commonly supposed, the rules and regula- J- C. Redpath, p. 150. 

 tions of the Treasury Department are very strict 



on the question of absolute protection to the seals on the islands, and 

 the Treasury agents have always most rigidly enforced them. 



It is unlawful to fire a gun on the islands from the time the first seal 

 appears in the spring until the last one leaves at the end of the season; 

 and in order to properly enforce this law the firearms are taken from 

 the natives and locked up in the Government house, in care of the 

 Treasury agents. 



