36 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIBTLOF ISLANDS. 



B. THE FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES. 

 THE BREEDING GROUNDS. 



Wherever there is a rocky beach of some breadth or a sloping rocky hill on the 

 Pribilof Islands the fur seals have located their breeding grounds, or "rookeries," as 

 they are called. The best type of rookery ground is a moderate slope covered with 

 coarse rocks and descending to a beach of shingle or rounded bowlders. On these 

 beaches their gregarious habits cause the animals to crowd together in close-set 

 masses. The limits of the rookeries are defined by abrupt cliffs or headlands, which 

 cut off the beaches, by inaccessible cliffs that rise in the rear and by intervening sand 

 beaches. They seldom extend far back from the sea under any condition, as access 

 to the water is an essential feature. 



THE HAULING GROUNDS. 



Adjoining the breeding grounds and an essential part of each rookery are what 

 are known as the " hauling grounds" of the bachelors, frequented by the young males 

 of the ages of 5 years and under, these classes being strictly excluded from the breed- 

 ing grounds. These hauling grounds are usually located on sandy beaches bordering 

 the breeding grounds or on the flat "parade" grounds above and in the rear of the 

 harems. In most cases the bachelors are forced to encircle the end of the breeding 

 grounds to reach their locations in the rear, but in some cases neutral strips or run- 

 ways are left among the harems through which the bachelors haul out unmolested. 

 Not infrequently the bachelors seek to use runways which are not recognized as 

 neutral, and they are summarily thrown out by the harem masters. This leads to 

 confusion and fighting among the bulls, and the consequent destruction of females 

 and young pups. In many cases the hauling grounds are at a considerable distance 

 from the breeding grounds, but even where they are located immediately in the rear 

 of the harems, a buffer of idle or reserve bulls keeps them at a safe distance. The 

 young males have a wholesome and well-defined fear of the bulls, which experience 

 amply justifies. 



In the present depleted condition of the fur-seal herd much ground once occupied 

 has been abandoned. The tendency of the animals, in obedience to their gregarious 

 instincts, is to crowd together, and as their numbers decrease the rookeries shrink 

 up. With the restoration of the herd these abandoned grounds will undoubtedly be 

 reoccupied. It is probable that the occupation of absolutely new ground could only 

 result from an overcrowded condition of the rookeries. Not all the available space on 

 the islands was ever occupied even in the time of greatest expansion, as there are 

 long stretches of suitable beach line on which seals have never been known to breed. 



THE ST. PAUL ROOKERIES. 



The following is a brief description of the breeding rookeries of St. Paul Island, 

 beginning at Northwest Point : 



1. Vostochni* (eastern). This rookery lies on the northern face of the peninsula of 

 Northeast Point. It extends from the vicinity of Cross Hill, at the termination of the 



* The different fur-seal rookeries have for the most part retained their picturesque Russian names. 

 It is very desirable that they should continue to do so, and it would be appropriate if Russian equiva- 

 lents wore substituted for the few English, names which have come into use. In the spelling of the 

 Russian names we have followed the present accepted methods of transliteration under the advice of 



