GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT. 11 



Until a larger number of seals can be killed, th's deplorable condi- 

 tion will probably continue. It may be improved by purchasing 

 and supplying to the foxes other kinds of food; the legality of this, 

 however, has been questioned. Under the present law no seal meat 

 suitable for human food can be fed to the foxes. Only the refuse 

 parts of the carcasses can be used for that purpose. 



In the past year the foxing season on St. George Island began 

 November 23 and continued until February 7. 



The method of taking foxes on this island is by means of a large 

 wire box trap, about 14 by 10 feot. A door controlled from within 

 admits the animals, which as* caught are brought to the agent, who 

 examines each one, liberates the most fit ones for breeders, after 

 marking, and passes the others to the killers. The most vigorous 

 young foxes, of superior pelage and color, are selected as breedei-s. 

 The food used in the trap to attract the animals consists of salted 

 seal meat. The trapping is done at night. 



The number of foxes taken in 1912 was 170 blue males, 105 blue 

 females, and 2 white males. 



The fox herd on St. Paul Island has always been much smaller 

 than that on St. George. The original reason for this Avas probably 

 the greater abundance of natural food obtainable by the foxes from 

 the populous bird rookeries of St. George. With an abundance of 

 food supplied there would seem to be no environmental reason why 

 St. Paul Island should not support at least as many foxes as St. 

 George. 



On St. Paul Island the foxes are caught in steel traps, as so far it 

 has been found impossible to induce them to enter box traps. During 

 the trapping season in the winter of 1911-12, there were taken 109 

 blue and 27 white foxes on this island. The entire catch for the two 

 islands was therefore 384 blues and 29 whites, or a total of 413 pelts. 



These were sold at auction in London by C. M. Lampson & Co. on 

 March 7, 1913, for $21,708.48 for the blues and $501.43 for the 

 whites, or $22,209.91 for all. It is of interest to note that the average 

 of $57 for the blue fox skins far exceeded the average price of the 

 sealskins ($37) for that year, and the maximum price for bhios v/as 

 as high as $131 per skin, received for a lot of 31. The net proceeds 

 of the entire sale of fox skins were $20,505.17. 



INTRODUCTION OF REINDEER. 



One oj" the most notable and economically important achievements 

 in connection with the fur-seal service was the establishing of a herd 

 of reindeer on each of the Pribilof Islands. This was accomplished 

 through the cooperation of the Department of the Interior, which, 

 through its Bureau of Education, supplied the animals necessary for 



