STARVED Plf'S AT NORTHEAST POINT. 497 



carcasses, with t'cw exceptions, were seeu by either Mr. Macoun or myself, aud in most 

 cases by botli. 



Mr. Macoun suggests that in his judgment not more that 20 jier cent of the former 

 count of pups have disappeared. We will leave the matter open uutil the count is 

 complete, but so far as I can judge 20 i)cr cent would be ample to cover the loss. 



SEPTEMBER 30. 



A start was made this mornlug at 6 o'clock for Northeast Point in two buckboards 

 to make the count of dead pups there. Although the ground in the village was pretty 

 well covered with snow, the day looked fav(»rable, and fortunately the snow did not 

 extend above Polovina. If any snow fell at Northeast Point, it was very light. 



NORTHEAST POINT. 



We arrived at Northeast Point at 9 o'clock, and began counting on the east side 

 olf Webster House. One hundred and forty dead pups were found on the tirst point 

 and the little beach beyond. Only 32 i)ups were found on Sea Lion Neck. There were 

 10 on the sands oU' Walrus bight. Five hundred aud forty-three were found in the 

 patch about the rock pile just past the bight. On the point where the sea-lion 

 rookery is located there were 225. From here to a line with the eastern angle of 

 Hutchinson Hill there were 1,441. On Hutchinson HiJl, the beach below it, and to the 

 end at the sands west of Gross Hill weie 1,872, the total for Northeast Point being 

 4,2G3. Four hundred aud thirty starving ])ups were counted. There were 2,293 in 

 August. 



Doubtless Sea Lion Neck has lost more i)ups in proportion betweeu the two counts 

 than any other rookery ground through the tremendous surf of the last few days, 

 which evidently washed across the Neck. 



Three pups were found imprisoned in a narrow fissure in the rocks. They were 

 noosed and drawn out with difficulty. t)ne or two i)Ui)S were injured, antl possibly 

 others killed, by jumping from steep clitls. The work of the present count is being 

 done with the utmost thoroughness, in the hope that it may never have to be done 

 again. It does the seals no good to be thus driven oil', no matter how carefully the 

 work is done. 



PARALYZED ANIMALS. 



Several cows have been found during the work of counting which seem to be 

 paralyzed with fright. They lie on the rocks as if in a fit. their bodies twitching, 

 their eyes rolling, their necks stiff, and heads thrown far back. They are jierfectly 

 helpless, and cau not be induced to move. We have not been able to find them in 

 their places an hour or so afterwards, and it is probable that they recover. Two of 

 these cows were to-day seeu on Northeast Point and others were seeu on other 

 rookeries. 



A heavy surf was breaking on Northeast Point and the seals were very much 

 averse to going into it. They got out immediately aud resumed their places. 



Everything was driven off the slope of Hutchiusou Hill and the count finished at 

 noon. Lunch was eaten on the top of the hill, and l)y the time it was over, about 

 fifteen minutes, hundreds of seals Avere back and the vanguard were at the highest 

 point on the hill. 



