FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 65 



Zapadnie, July 22, 1874. 



A remarkable extension or increase I note here of 2,000 feet of shore line, with an 

 average depth of 50 feet of breeding ground, which has been built on to Upper 

 Zapadnie, stretching out toward Tolstoi. The upper rookery proper has not altered 

 its bearings or proportions. The sand beach belt between it and Lower Zapadnie is 

 not occupied by breeding seals, and a fair track for the holluschickie, 500 feet 

 wide, left clear, over which they have traveled quite extensively this season. Some 

 20,000 to 25,000 of them at least lying out around the old salt house to-day. Lower 

 Zapadnie has lost in a noteworthy degree abotit an average of 20 feet of its general 

 depth, which, however, is more than compensated for by the swarming on the upper 

 rookery. A small beginuiug had been made for a rookery on the shore just south- 

 west from Zapadnie Lake in 1872, but this year it has been substantially abandoned. 



CONTRAST ON ST. GEORGE BETWEEN 1873 AND 1874. 



An epitome of my notes for St. George gives, as to this season of 1874, the following 

 data for comparison with that of 1873 : 



Zapadnie, July 8, 1874. 

 This rookery shows a slight increase upon the figures of last year, about 5,000. 

 Fine condition. 



Starrv Arteel, July G, 1874. 

 No noteworthy change from last year. 



North Rookery, July 6, 1874. 

 No essential change from last year. Condition very good. 



Little Eastern, July 6, 1874. 

 A slight diminution of some 2,000 or so. Condition excellent. 



Eastern Rookery, July 7, 1874. 



A small increase over last year of about 3,000; only trifling, however. The aggre- 

 gate seal life here similar to that of last season, witli the certaiiity of at least a small 

 increase. The unusually early season this year brought the rookery "seecatchie" 

 on the ground very much in advance of the general time; they lauded as early as 

 the 10th of April, while the arrival of the cows was as late as usual, corresponding 

 to iwY observations during the past seasons. 



The general condition of the animals of all classes on St. George is most excellent; 

 they are sleek, fat, and free from any disease. 



In this way it is plain that, practically, the exact condition of these animals can 

 be noted every season, and should a diminution be observed, due to any cause, known 

 or unknown, the killing cau be promptly regulated or stopped to auy required quota. 



Had such a supervision of tbese rookeries aud hauling- grounds been 

 maintained in the manner and method above pointed out, as essential to 

 a correct understandingof their condition, as it /,v, then, in 1882 the killing 

 would have been '■'■ iwomptly refiulated or stopped,''^ as it should have been: 

 and the erroneous idea of an increase of seals since my record of 1872- 

 1874, would not have been entertained for a moment, unless dishonestly 

 stimulated. 



THE ARRIVAL OF THE BREEDING SEALS (1872-1890). 



In view of the changed condition of the rookeries of St. Paul and St. 

 George last summer, I took great care in noting the daily arrival of the 

 breeding seals and methods, contrasting these notes with those taken 

 eighteen years earlier. I can truthfully assert that they come as they 

 came inl87li: in the same time, same manner, and in every respect com- 

 port themselves as they did, save in two characteristics — the old bulls 

 are disproportionately scant in number, exceedingly so, and the young 

 male life tit to take their places is virtually extinct. I reviewed in 1874 

 my studies of this topic in the following language: 



I found it an exceedingly difficult matter to satisfy myself as to a fair general 

 average number of cows to each bull on the rookery; but, after protracted study, I 

 think it will be nearly correct when I assigu to each male a general ratio of from 



H. Doc. 175 5 



