90 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 
During mild seasons it will be noted that some of the pelts have a decided 
reddish tinge to the guard hairs, and while the exact effect of this condition 
is not known to the writer, it appears that its presence is not of sufficient 
importance to warrant the cessation of trapping. In the two seasons of 1915— 
16 and 1919-20 this “rusty” condition was particularly noticeable, but on 
both of these occasions the furriers subsequently stated that the value of the 
skins was but slightly lessened thereby. While the darkest furs are the most 
desirable, a good pelt commands a fair price even though the reddish tinge 
is in evidence. 
The approach of the end of the season and the lapse of primeness in the 
skins can not be determined by any rule. The condition of the fur must be 
earefully watched, for rubbed or felted patches about the throat or rump 
are a certain indication of unprimeness. The observations must naturally be 
made before the fox is killed. 
Weather conditions—There is probably no single indirect factor having a 
more important bearing on the outcome of the season’s trapping than that 
of weather. Clear, cold nights, with moderate winds from points in the north 
or east, are the conditions under which trapping may best be conducted at the 
village. Western winds favor the Zapadni cage. High night tides are advan- 
tageous, low ones the contrary. While moonlight makes the trapping work 
easier, the animals may be seen without difficulty on the darkest night if there 
is a little snow on the ground. The lower the temperature and the longer the 
period of cold, the more favorable is the situation; the cold keeps the beaches 
frozen and the continuation of it forces the most timid animals to visit the 
‘age in search of food. Storms do not necessarily preclude trapping if the 
winds are from favorable directions and are not exceedingly strong. Wet show 
or rain is unfavorable, as the furs become wet and soiled on such occasions; 
this dampness is very undesirable when the skins are made ready for stretch- 
ing. Trapping may, however, be conducted with fair results during mild 
weather when rain is not falling. Persistence is required if a large catch is 
to be made. 
Location of traps.—Two cage traps are used at the present time, one at 
the village, the second at Zapadni. The advisability of installing a third is 
doubtful. The second trap was the natural outcome of the feeding of foxes 
at Zapadni and it is useful when winds are unfavorable for work at the 
village. The desirability of securing the largest number of pelts at the village 
trap is readily seen. 
The village trap is the original building set up by James Judge shortly after 
his experiment of 1896, and, like all cage traps, it is near the shore line. The 
second is simply a wire cage set up in 1919 close by the Zapadni watch house. 
Efforts are occasionally made to secure foxes at Garden Cove (on the southern 
shore) by means of string or noose traps, but the results are quite dispropor- 
tionate to the labor involved. It should also be mentioned that the foxes 
having their homes in the immediate vicinity of the village form a distinct 
colony, the members of which rarely visit the cage trap and must be obtained 
by noose traps placed within the village and operated from the windows of 
the village buildings. 
Description of traps.—Herewith is a diagram showing the arrangement of the 
village trap. The drop door ‘“F,” sliding in a groove, is operated by a man 
stationed within the darkened room ‘ B,’’ who watches the animals through the 
small window “ H,’ which commands a view of the trap interior. The Zapadni 
trap is on the same general plan, the cage standing apart from the house and 
being operated from the window. At Zapadni the foxes must be caught and 
removed from the trap by hand, while at the village it is much more readily 
done, as will be seen later. 
The noose trap is a very simple arrangement. A small doorway is cut in the 
end of a common packing case, which is then placed with its open face to the 
ground, the door remaining open on the end of the case. Some bait having a 
strong odor, such as old seal meat or seal oil, is placed within the box, and a 
noose is hung about the doorway. As the fox endeavors to investigate the 
contents of the box, the noose is closed about his neck by an operator stationed 
within a near building. This trap is an unsatisfactory arrangement to use 
outside the precincts of the village, as when an animal is captured the result- 
ing commotion frightens other foxes away from that neighborhood. Further- 
more, but a single fox can be caught at each operation. 
Operation of traps——It must be borne in mind during the trapping season 
that the foxes are largely dependent upon the seal meat for their sustenance, 
