154 MANAGEMENT OF THE SEAL EOOKEEIES. 



Number killed, quota of sldiis to be taken in 1890.^ The Gov- 

 ernment at once reduced the number to sixty 

 thousand and ordered the kilHng of seals to cease 

 on July 20.^ The 20th of July was fixed upon 

 because in former years the taking of seals had 

 practically ceased at that time, the breeding 

 grounds and hauling grounds being up to that 

 time entirely distinct and separate, and because 

 during the period from June 1 to July 20 the 

 skins were in the most marketable condition.^ 

 The killing of a portion of the surplus male life 

 is undoubtedly a benefit to the herd, as it is with 

 other domestic and polygamous animals. For it 

 has always been found that such an act increases 

 the number of the progeny.^ The American 

 Commissioners also demonstrate bv the diag-rams 

 attached to their report, which are explained in 

 the body of the document, that a large portion of 

 the young male seals can be killed without reduc- 

 ing- or affecting- the normal birth rate.* The 

 United States Government formerly allowed the 

 natives to kill a few thousand male pups for 

 food, but such killing has been prohibited.^ 



' Vol. II, p. 112. 



2 H. G. Otis, Vol. II, p. 86. 



3 Leou Sloss, Vol. II, p. 92; Gustave Niebauin, Vol. II, p. 77; 

 J. C. Redpath, Vol. II, p. 1.52. 



•• Report of American Bering Sea Commissioners, post, p. 356. 

 *.J. Stanley Brown, Vol. II, p. 18; see Regulations, Vol. I, p, 

 103. 



