304 



THE FUK SEALS OF THE PRIIULOF ISLANDS. 



count the cows, and tlie 14 harems in this space were estimated ou the basis of the 

 harems in whicli the cows were counted, givitij;' a total of 243 cows. One hnndred 

 and sixty-eis;ht harems were found by actual count to have L',90!t cows. The total of 

 the rookery would therefore be 182 harems with 3,152 cows. Followin<;' is the detailed 

 count by harems: 



The iictual eouiit on Kitoii fookeri/. 



Total cows (counted) : ' 2, 909 



Total harems 168 



Average size of harems 17. 3 



In the rear of the rookery 53 old bulls without harems were counted. There were 

 iu addition 30 males which might be classed as half bulls, mostly 5-year-olds. 



Two dead pujis were observed; one on a flat rock near the water and some 

 distauce from any harem. It was wet, and had probably been drowned. The other 

 was lying among the cows of a very large harem (GO cows), and, judging from the 

 treatment another newly born pup received from these cows, it seems probable that 

 the dead one was killed by them. The newly born pup was roughly shaken by 2 cows. 

 At one time the cows had the little thing above the ground, each holding an end, and 

 both trying to pull it to pieces. It afterwards got away and toddled oft. No dead 

 pups were observed on the bluffs or slopes behind the rookery. 



The rookery seems to be at its fullest seasonal capacity. Nearly all the cows have 

 pups. Two were seen with placenta attached, showing recent birth. The mother of 

 one of these made an effort to bite off the umbilical cord. Some wet cows were seen, 

 and some were going into the water. Young bulls were trying to intercept these, and 

 pursued tliem a short distance in water. Some cows were noticed teasing bulls. Two 

 bulls were seen to copulate. One young bull (5 years?) held a single cow on a path 

 flt some distance above the rookery. It is apparent that were old bulls lacking there 

 are i)lenty of young bulls ready to take their places. 



One young bull was seen with patch of skin 4 by 6 or 8 inches torn oft" the liank. 

 In front of the isolated rock pile — photo station 14i — were many bones of pups and a 

 number of dried bodies. 



I<'ighting was very common in the rookery, some old bulls being very vicious. 

 One old bull with a single cow had his jaw injured so that left canine projected 

 forwaid. Another bull also with a single cow had an injured jaw. 



Compared with ^Ir. True's count on July 8-10, 1895, it ajijiears that there are 

 to-day 512 more cows on this rookery, and 28 more harems, while the number of cows 



' To this must he added the 14 estimated harems, bringing the total tip to 3,152 cows, and 182 

 tiareuis. 



