FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA IX 1910. 25 



From the latter, however, at least 7,500 were killed during the last 

 summer, leaving approximately 4,500 2-year-old males in existence 

 at the close of the season. The above computation would indicate 

 that 12,124 2-year-old cows and 4,500 2-year-old males were present 

 at the end of the killing season of 1910. 



NUMBER OF YEARLINGS. 



In 1909 it was estimated that 45,764 pups were born, half of which 

 were males and half females. By applying a 50 per cent death rate 

 during their initial migration we should have in 1910 11,441 yearling 

 males and the same number of yearling females. 



NUMBER OF 3-YEAR-OLDS. 



Nine hundred and fifteen 3-year-olds were marked during the 

 summer and released as breeders. An uncertain number hi addition 

 was not driven at all and still survive. It would be a moderate 

 allowance to estimate the number of 3-year-olds remaining in the 

 herd at 1,200. 



SUMMARY OF SEAL LIFE IN 1910. 



From the foregoing computations an approximate census of seal 

 life present on the islands at the close of the sealing season of 1910 

 would be as follows: 



Bulls, active with harems 1, 381 



Bulls, idle, and quitters 303 



Half bulls 2, 336 



3-year-old bachelors 1, 200 



2-year-old bachelors 4, 500 



Yearling bachelors 11, 441 



Male pups 21, 888 



Breeding'cows 43, 777 



2-year-old (virgin) cows 12, 124 



Yearling females 11, 441 



Female pups 21, 888 



Total 132, 279 



The foregoing "census," if we except the bulls with Jiarems, and 

 those idle, is nothing more than an estimate based upon such enumera- 

 tions as could be made that were of value in determining the number 

 of seals. While it shows over 2,000 seals less than a similar computa- 

 tion in 1909, it nevertheless exhibits apparent increases in certain 

 classes of seals over the preceding census spoken of. For example, 

 the 2-year-old bachelors estimated to be present in 1910 exceed in 

 numbers by over 2,000 those stated to be in existence at the close of 

 the season of 1909. The 2-year-old cows estimated in 1910 are 2,000 

 more than were assigned for the previous year. 



