12 ALASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910. 



over 200. As a matter of fact there is a slight decline, so that it 

 appears that males exempted one year were killed the next. In 

 reality, if we may judge from the records of past years, there is no 

 necessity of reserving annually a number greater than one-half of the 

 total number of active bulls, but these should be chosen from the class 

 that will be wigged next year, or branded with a permanent mark. 



This year 1,271 males were set aside as a reserve. Very nearly 1 ,000 

 4-year-olds and older were dismissed from the drives. Some of these 

 were doubtless driven more than once, but it is assuredly safe to 

 conclude that 600 were actually present. In addition there were 

 others on the water front and in the water to the number of at least 

 100, and finally there were 605 idle and half bulls. This gives a 

 total of 2,576, a number considerably in excess of the requirements. 



ESTIMATE OF ALL CLASSES. 



The following is an itemized estimated census of the seals forming 

 the herd in 1910: 



Estimated Census op Seal Herd in 1910. 



Class. 



Active bulls 



Breeding cows... 



Pups 



Idle bulls 



Young bulls . 



Bachelor reserve. 



2-year males 



2-year females . . . 

 Yearling males.. 

 Yearling females. 

 Quota killed 



Total 



1,381 



43, 777 



43,777 



221 



384 



1,971 



5,500 



13,000 



10,800 



10,800 



13,584 



145, 195 



According to this estimate and Mr. Clark's estimate of 158,488 

 for 1909, the herd has diminished by 13,293 within the past year. 

 Whether this is a just conclusion must be decided by computations 

 to be made during the next few years. Accuracy is impossible so 

 long as the present methods are employed. During late years it has 

 been assumed that the error is not greater than 12 per cent, and this 

 is probably a fair conclusion. Last year the herd numbered be- 

 tween 150,000 and 160,000; this year it seems to fall between 140,000 

 and 150,000. 



