498 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 



Only one or two sea lions were seen abont the rookeries of these animals. 



Colonel .AInrray and Mr. Hamilton report the number of bulls ou the saud beach 

 below Cross Hill to be about 1,800. Only 50 of the 430 starving pups were counted 

 for Uutchinson Oill. This is far too low. but it is impossible on wide spaces of rookery 

 ground to make the seals go slowly enough to make a full count of the starving. Tiie 

 chief value of this oouut will lie in the fact that it is under, not over, the facts and 

 cau not be disputed. 



LITTLE I'OLOVINA. 



The work at Northeast Point was finished at 2.30, and we immediately started for 

 Polovina. Little Polovina was counted first, and 119 pups found. Twenty-two 

 starving pups were noticed by Colonel Murray and Mr. Hamilton. 



Another of the paralyzed cows was found on this rookery. She lay quivering, 

 rolling her eyes and frothing at the mouth. Poked and rolled over, she made no 

 effort at resistance or escape. In half an hour she was gone. The pups and cows 

 were lying far back from the rookery i)roper on the flat. Tlie number of cows out on 

 the rookeries at this particular time is very great. All the rookeries are alike in this 

 respect and the cows on all show a uniform disposition to stay on laud at any hazard. 



Under the cliffs of Polovina ISO dead pups and 12 starving ones were counted. 



POLOVINA. 



On the main rookery 1,375 dead pups were counted and 43 starving onevS. A 

 number of pups dropped over a steep cliff" and 4 were stunned and api)arently killed 

 on tlie rocks below. All but one, however, recovered in five minutes sufficiently to 

 make their way slowly into the water. One was so badly injured that he was killed. 

 His stomach was found to (;ontain milk only. 



The natives show an exasperating stupidity in their actions when dealing with 

 the seals. They will follow them right out to the edge of the cliff', with a view to 

 turning them back, and make them all go over. They do not seem to have any horse 

 sense. You can't make them understand by calling unless you talk through the 

 cliief. They stand and stare or else keep right on till the mischief is done. 



THE ARRIVAL OF THE BEAR. 



On returning from Northeast Point the lieur was discovered steaming over from 

 St. George. This is the first vessel we have seen since the Rush left ou September 8. 

 On going aboard in the evening it was found that for some reason the Grant and all 

 the rest of the fleet had pulled out of the sea on September 20. Captain Tuttle had 

 instructions simply to take us off' when ready and land us at Unalaska. But there is 

 no vessel leaving Uualaska, and our only ch;ince to get away will be to wait till the 

 liiar goes down on the 2.>th of October. We may as well remain on the islands, 

 where we can continue to make observations. 



Captain Tuttle landed a boat's crew under charge of a lieutenant and is to leave 

 another on St. George. He wished to sail for St. George at midnight, but kindly 

 consented to wait until to morrow noon for us to finish the count on Lukanin and 

 Ivitovi. taking us with him to make the count on St. George. 



