120 



BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



Considering the relatively small number of the animals remaining on the Pribilof 



Islands, it is well that they are no longer indispensable. Where formerly there were 



many thousands of the huge creatures there are at present only a few hundred on both 



islands. 



BREEDING HABITS. 



The breeding rookeries are only two in number, at Northeast Point on St. Paul, and 

 near Garden Cove on St. George. In former years they resorted in numbers to both 

 Otter and Walrus Islands, and doubtless do so yet to some extent as they do to Sea Lion 

 Rock. A few are said to have bred on Walrus Island in the days of their abundance, 

 but otherwise the present breeding stations seem to be the only ones ever occupied on the 

 Pribilof Islands. 



In general habits they resemble the fur seals. The males take up their stations 

 from about the first to the middle of May and are joined by the females about two weeks 

 later. Young are recorded as having been born as early as May 24, and as with the fur 

 seal the period of pup-bearing extends over several weeks. They grow very rapidly, and 

 when less than three months old are as large as 3 -year-old fur seals. The animals 

 when breeding are much more wary and timid than the fur seals. On the approach of 

 man the females forsake their young and take to the water, where they gather in com- 

 pany with the bachelors and the less courageous of the breeding males, and keep up a 

 deafening roaring chorus of rage and defiance. 



A few of the largest males hold their ground and in the general excitement wage 

 relentless battle with each other while the pups which are too young to accompany their 

 mothers avoid the intruders as far as possible. The animals remain about the islands 

 the entire year, but appear to be more scattered in winter. 



NUMBERS KILLED IN FORMER YEARS. 



In early days great numbers of sea lions were taken for the skins and meat. The 

 following table shows approximately the number killed on St. Paul Island from 1870 

 to 1890 according to the island records, which are probably incomplete. Unless other- 

 wise stated practically all were killed at Northeast Point. 



Sea lions Hlled on St. Paul Island, 1S70-1S90. 



Remarks. 



About 500 skins sent to Unalaska spring 1870. 



No record of number killed. 



A quantity of skins shipped probably to Unalaska and Kodiak. 



160 driven from Northeast Point to Village Sept. i6: ijodriven from Northeast 



Point to Village Nov. i6. 

 Includes about 300 driven from Northeast Point to Village October and 



November. 

 Includes 340 driven from Northeast Point to Village during year; 295 skins 



shipped to Unalaska. 

 Includes 188 driven from Northeast Point to Village in November. 

 Mostly killed at Northeast Point. 



All driven from Northeast Point to Village in November. 

 Driven from Northeast Point to Village in October. 

 KiUed at Northeast Point. 

 20 killed on Walrus Island, remainder driven from Northeast Point to Village 



iu October and November. 

 Includes 100 driven from Northeast Point to \'iUage in November. 

 Killed at Northeast Point. 

 Do. 

 Do. 

 Includes 190 driven from Northeast Point to Village. 

 Killed at Northeast Point. 

 Killed at Northeast Point in spring. 

 Killed at Northeast Point. 

 Do. 



