FUR SEALS AND OTHER LIFE, PRIBILOF ISLANDS, 1914. 47 



that was actively guarding the two cows. The following day he had disappeared. The 

 second bull of this kind, showing similar characteristics, was obser\^ed on Sea Lion Rock 

 July 20. Among the active harem bulls a certain proportion can be distinguished as 

 relatively old, but all maintain themselves with vigor, and it is apparent that, with rare 

 exceptions Uke the ones noted above, practically all bulls with strength enough to return 

 to the islands are still competent for harem ser\'ice. 



ADOLESCENT HAREM BULLS. 



Many bulls not over 6 years old and a few not over 5 years conducted harems in 

 the season of 191 4. The 6-year-olds could not always be distinguished with certainty, 

 but it was evident that practically the entire stock of this class of seals was divided 

 between harem bulls and idle bulls. Five-year-olds with harems were comparatively 

 few on St. Paul Island, but on St. George Island at least three were noted on East Clififs 

 and two on North Rookery as early as July 13. There are some observations to indicate 

 that even 4-year-olds may be sexually capable and there is Uttle doubt that all 5-year- 

 olds are. But for such animals to do harem ser\dce is scarcely desirable. Under normal 

 conditions 5-year-old half bulls could not obtain cows until the end of the season and the 

 break up of the harems. Their participation in the harem system early in the season 

 can hardly be regarded as anything but an indication of a scarcity of old bulls. This, 

 howev^er, is not proof that the old bulls had more cows than they were capable of serving 

 for there were old bulls with comparatively small harems not far from harems held by 

 the young bulls. The varying character of the breeding grounds makes it impossible for 

 a bull to move far from his original position without losing whatever advantage he may 

 have, so cows that for any reason haul beyond the working range of the established 

 harem bulls are subject to capture by any unoccupied bulls. Under natural conditions 

 such cows would immediately be appropriated by the idle bulls. In the absence of 

 idle bulls, it is evident they fall to the lot of the 5-year-olds, and so far as known are 

 effectively served by them. 



Thus, whether or not it will affect the number of pups to be born, there was in 1914 

 a shortage of old bulls sufficient to permit a limited number of 5-year old half bulls to 

 ser\'e as harem masters. 



FIGHTING OF OLD BULLS. 



The conditions in 191 4 were such as to favor a minimum of fighting. Practically all 

 the old bulls were able to obtain at least small harems, and the idle bulls were not numer- 

 ous. Moreover, the idle bulls were mostly only 6 years of age and, although fairly large 

 and strong, lacked confidence and experience, so they were rather easily intimidated by 

 the older animals. Early in the season before the cows arrived there was some fighting, 

 which did comparatively little harm and which was doubtless not proportionately greater 

 than it would be under any circumstances. On June 22 a bull was noted on Kitovi 

 that had recently suffered the loss of one eye, and others with cuts and slashes were 

 occasionally seen. Later, on the same rookery, an idle bull was seen to take charge of a 

 harem while the original possessor sought to retrieve a fleeing cow, and in the onslaught 

 which followed the interloper narrowly escaped castration. 



Contrary to general popular impression, no fighting of consequence occurs over 

 the incoming cows. The bull fights to maintain his position and only in this indirect 

 84512°— S. Doc. 980, 63-3 1 



