272 American Fisheries Society 



be questioned. They are based upon prolonged inquiry by 

 representatives of the two countries most interested, and 

 have been mutually accepted only after the keenest possible 

 criticism from both sides. 



The natural history of the fur seal is now better under- 

 stood in detail than that of any other wild mammal. These 

 investigations, commenced about twenty years ago, have 

 yielded much new information, and, with the cessation of 

 pelagic sealing, we are now ready to apply scientific methods 

 to the rehabilitation of the small herd remaining on the 

 Pribilofs with full confidence as to the result. 



The polygamous habit of the fur seal is the principal fact 

 with which we have to deal in considering any scheme of 

 management of this animal upon its natural breeding 

 grounds. Each mature male controls from 1 to 100 fe- 

 males, the average number of females in the harem into 

 which the rookeries are divided being about thirty. The sur- 

 plus of male seals naturally resulting from the polygamous 

 habits of the animal is large, and the most of it has always 

 been available for commercial purposes. 



The male seals are thus of two distinct classes: the 

 adults in possession of the breeding grounds, and the imma- 

 ture males located entirely away from such grounds. The 

 latter do not acquire the size and courage to fight their way 

 among- the large breeding animals until about seven years 

 old, although otherwise mature at the age of four years. 



During the breeding season the mature males are 

 in possession of the harems, where they maintain their posi- 

 tions by sheer fighting abilitv. Their courage is such that 

 thev do not give way even before men armed with heavy 

 clubs and it is dangerous for men to attempt to enter the 

 rookeries at this time. When the males seize each other with 

 their powerful jaws thev frequently tear rents in their thick 

 hides. In a quarrel for the possession of a female, the latter 

 may be frightfully lacerated, and is sometimes killed. 

 Fighting may be seen anywhere in the rookeries and many 

 of the very voting seals are tramnled to death. 



