130 MANAGEMENT OF THE SEAL ROOKERIES. 



The Russian Sea of Okliotsk, where they are often found by 



kerd. 



whalers in the early spring/ and also range along 

 the Japan coasts.^ This shows the similarity of 

 habits of these two herds, but at the same time 

 is further evidence that they never intermingle. 



MANAGEMENT OF THE SEAL ROOKERIES. 

 RUSSIAN MANAGEMENT. 



After the discovery of the Pribilof Islands 

 several Russian fur companies sent expeditions 

 thither for the purpose of procuring seal skins 

 and annually great numl^ei's were taken. AYhen 

 the liussian American Company came into pos- 

 session of these valuable rookeries in 1799, this 

 unlimited slaughter ceased and a limitation was 

 placed upon the number to be taken. Becoming 

 more familiar with the condition and habits of 

 the animals, especially their habit of polygamy, 

 a further limitation was enforced providing that 

 male seals alone should be killed, but no limita- 

 tion was fixed as to the age of such males, the 

 skins being procured from bulls, bachelors, and 

 gray pups alike, the demands of the Chinese 

 market being the jjrincipal guide as to the class 

 taken. Toward the close of the Russian occu- 



1 Charles Bryant, Vol. II, p. 4. ' 



*Bepo;t oi'Aiuencau J3ej.ing Se.;^ (Jojmiaissioners, ^o«<; p. 3|3, 



