436 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISI,ANDS. 



just below us are L' young baclielors. They must be l-yeaiolds. Hut they show the 

 testes distinctly. They should have Ix^eu killed this year; they will have wigs started 

 by next season. 



1 agree with AIr.Luc-as,on looking at these bachelors, that it is necessary to readjust 

 our ideas of 4-year-olds. What we have called 4-year-olds are probably 5-year-olds. 



SWIMMING PUPS. 



As we come to the end of Kitovi we find that the pups are playing in large 

 numbers in the kelp bed of the little bight. On the rocky reef that juts out here 

 there are hundreds of them, and the water about is full. They can also be seen on 

 the rocks and under the black bluffs above East Landing. I>elow this there are still 

 pups. (loiug down to the beach we find them swimming in both directions in little 

 bands of from 2 to 25. They stop at our feet and dive for kelp, bring it up in their 

 mouths, snatching it from one another. One is seen to come np with a dead shell. 

 You can hear bis teeth rattle on it. He drops it three times and dives, recovering it 

 each time. 



Following down along the beach past East Landing, pups are seen at every point 

 swimming both toward Kitovi and toward the Keef. A dozen or more, with some 

 bachelors, are on the rock in the water olf the village killing grounds. Bachelors, 

 probably yearlings, are swimming in numbers with the pups. T>o they set the 

 example, which the pups follow, in going so far away? 



Two of the pui)s are upon the rocks near East Landing, shaking themselves and 

 playing in the sun. They take to the water and swim off. 



At the ledge of lava rocks where the sand dunes begin are 250 or 300 bulls 

 hauled out. Five pups are out with them. On approaching, thv? pups and a number 

 of the bulls begin dropping from the ledge into the water. One half bull comes uj) 

 to the edge and looks down. He turns deliberately around and backs off, holding 

 himself by his front flipper and chin and feeling for bottom with his hind flippers. 

 They do not reach, but after hesitating a while he lets go and droi)s to the bottom, 

 tumbling over backward. 



Following down along the cliffs to the north end of the reef, every few rods in 

 the water are little bands of pups swiiuniing in both directions. There is evidently a 

 line of connection made between the Reef and Kitovi. Perhaps a visit along the 

 beach above Lukanin would show that the pups of this rookery and Polovina are also 

 visiting. 



Crossing over to Gorbatch, pups are seen in the surf off Zoltoi sands and along 

 toward Spilki and all along to the Lagoon. Mr. liedpath says that pups from Lagoon 

 rookery have been out on the rocks at Warehouse Lauding to-day. 



Judge Crowley and Mr. Macoun rc|)()rt killing a pup which was just coming out 

 of the water. The animal was selecte<l with a view to showing whether or not the 

 pups seen in the water are feeding. The pujj's stomach contained upwards of a quart 

 of rich milk and a few pebbles, nothing else. 



MR. LUCAS'S NOTES. 



in the morning a bull seal was killed for a skeleton. To get him the lot on the 

 slope of Zoltoi were driven up to tiie village killing ground. One showing age was 



