336 



HISTORY AXD METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



million really is; it is very easy to talk of a million, but it is a tedious task to count it off, and 

 makes one's statements as to " millions" decidedly more conservative after the labor has been 

 accomplished. 



REVIEW OF THE ROOKERIES OF SAINT PAUL. 



Before summing up the grand total, I shall now, in sequence, review each one of the several 

 rookeries of Sai.nt Paul, taking them in their order as they occur, going north from the Reef point. 

 The accompanying maps show the exact area occupied by the breeding seals and their youug in 

 the season of 1874, which is the date of my latest field work on the Pribylov Islands. 



THE REEF ROOKERY. By reference first to the general map, it will be observed that this 

 large breeding-ground, on that grotesquely -shaped neck which ends in the Keef point, is directly 

 contiguous to the village indeed, it may be fairly said to be right under the lee of the houses on 

 the hill. It is one of the most striking of all the rookeries, owing probably to the fact that on 

 every side it is sharply and clearly exposed t<> the vision, as the circuit is made in boats. A reach 

 of very beautiful drifting sand, a quarter of a mile from the village hill to the Reef bluffs, separates 

 the breeding grounds proper from the habitations of the people. These Zoltoi sands are, however, 

 a famous rendezvous for the " liolluschickie," and from them, during the season, the natives make 

 regular drives, having only to step out from their houses in the morning and walk a few rods to 

 find their fur- bearing quarry. 



REEF ROOKERV 



Passing over the sands on our way down to the point, we quickly come to a basaltic ridge or 

 back-bone, over which the sand has been rifted by the winds, and which supports a luxuriant growth 

 <>!' FAymus and other grasses, with beautiful flowers. A few hundred feet farther along our course 



