G6 REPORT OF BRITISH COMMISSIONERS. 



effect in the press are believed to have been inspired by interested 

 motives.* 



1890 and 1891. Mr. E. H. Pideock, Indian, reports that the Indians 

 of northern port of Vancouver Island say the fur seals have been less 

 plentiful than before during these two years. 



Mr. Harry Guillod, Indian Agent for the west coast of Van- 

 38 couver Island, says that the Indians report an unusual abundance 

 of seals in these two years, Avhile they were scarce for three years 

 l)reviously. 



1891. Mr. C. Todd, Indian agent at Metla-Katla, on the northern part 

 of the coast of British Columbia, states that the Indians believe tlie 

 number of fur-seals to have been about the same for the past twenty 

 years. 



Respecting the number of seals met with at sea in this year, the 

 following statements occur in the sworn evidence of sealers: 



C J. Kelly: Seals are as plentiful this year from the coast (of British 

 Columbia) to the Shumagin Islands as last year. 



Captain W. Petit: From Cape Flattery north, seals were more plenti- 

 ful than any year since 1886 5 in Behring Sea, as plentiful as in former 

 years. 



Captain W. E. Baker: Along the coast to the Shumagin Islands seals 

 were as plentiful in some places as the year before; in others, more 

 plentiful. No material diiterence in my average catch for last four 

 years. No decrease in number of seals in late years. 



Captain A. Bisset: Seals were as plentiful last year as in previous 

 years along the coast. 



Captain T. M. Magnesen: Seals were more plentiful last year than I 

 had ever seen them, both in Behring Sea and along the coast. 



Richard ThomiDson: Seals were as plentiful last year as the year 

 before. 



Andrew Laing: No decrease in seals last year. 



Cajitain W. Cox: Seals were as plentiful last year as ever before. 



Captain C. Hackett: Found the seals as plentiful on the coast last 

 year as in former years. Seals were more numerous in Behring Sea 

 than I ever saw them before. 



Captain C. McDougal: Found the seals thicker in Behring Sea than 

 ever before. 



A. Douglas : Had sealed seven years. Noticed no decrease in number 

 of seals last year. Thought they appeared a little shyer. Saw more 

 seals and larger bodies of seals in Behring Sea than ever before. 



L. L. McLean: Seals were more plentiful last year. Never saw seals 

 so plentiful in Behring Sea before (in seven years' experience). 



1892 (January). Judge J. G. Swan, in a letter, states that Indians 

 report seals unusually abundant off Cape Flattery and about Barclay 

 Sound. 



(B.) — Food of the Fur-seal. 



224. The broad and general facts of the annual migration habits of 

 the fur-seal do not ai)]iear to depend i^rimarily upon the pursuit of 

 food, but rather seem to be governed by the instinctive resort to the 

 breeding islands in the spring, followed by the equally instinctive 

 departure for more southern latitudes on the approach of the cold and 

 snows of winter. The distribution and migrations of the animals upon 

 wliich the seals depend for food doubtless have, however, a consider- 



* Parliamentary Paper [C. 6253], p. 78. 



