SEAL LIFK ON THE PRIMILOF ISLANDS. 7 



disturbing- the beid, the cliauge tlint has taken phice here is scarcely 

 perceptible in the photographs. Although the same area is occupied 

 by breeding seals as in 1892, and is so indicated on the chart, the 

 change is there expressed by the words "Thinned out slightly since 

 1892." Photograpiied July 15. 



Little East rookert/ presents the same ai)pearance as in 1892. 1 am not 

 able to detect any change, and the photograplis taken there do not 

 seem to indicate any. Photographed July 15. 



Xorth rool-ery. — The seals are disposed on thi.< lookery much as in 

 1892, but a slight decrease is percoi)tible, whicli is also sliowii by the 

 photograph taken at station 5. Photograjthed July 14. 



Starry Artecl roolrry. — The scattered fringe of seals along the main 

 rookery visible in 1892 now seems to have been absorbed into the main 

 body of breeding seals. The chart will be found to indicate a reced- 

 ence toward the blutt' at two or three points. Bachelor seals seem also 

 to be less numerous and were not found distributed so far back as 

 usual, the higher positions on the hill being mostly unoccupied this 

 year. Photographed July 14. 



Zapadnie rool-ery shows moie shrinkage tliau any other of the St. 

 George Island rookeries. The decrease is perceptible in the photo- 

 graph taken at station G. The main breeding ground on the hill slope 

 by the bluff is decidedl}' scattered as compared witli 1892, and there 

 are two breaks in the nairow breeding ground along the beach. The 

 hauling ground of bachelors is much more thinly covered, and seals 

 were not found as far back as in 18!>2. Photographed July l.'>. 



CONCLUSIONS AS TO CONDITION OF ROOKERIES. 



Taking all the rookeries of the Pribilof Islainls into consideration, it 

 may be safely asserted that the total number of seals upon them has 

 decreased to an api)reciable extent since the summer of 1892. The 

 annual increase of young seals has not, therefore, been (|uite sufficient to 

 offset the loss caused by thecontinuanceof pelagic sealing in the Xorth 

 Pacific Ocean. It is evident, however, that the closing of Bering Sea to 

 sealing vessels during the period of the modus vivendi has had a most 

 salutary effect upon the rookeries of the Pribilof Islands, and that their 

 present condition, so nearly stationary as regards the number of seals 

 since this regulation came in force, is distinctly traceable to the pro- 

 tection thus afforded. 



ADDITIONAL PROTECTION FOR THE ROOKERIES. 



The erection of watchhouses at all the rookeries and their connection 

 with the villages by telephones and roads has been commenced, and the 

 continuance of this work can not be too strongly urged. The organiza- 

 tion of the natives into regular watchmen is not only desirable for the 

 systematic care of the rookeries, but would be a inost effective system 

 of discipline for them, as a class of i)eople living most of the time in 

 enforced idleness. 



A light mounted field piece, such as a TTotchkiss rapid firing gun, 

 would be a valuable aid in the work of jirotection. Sealing vessels 

 have at various times approached the islands for the purpose of sealing 

 or raiding the rookeries, and a tiiorough protection {!an not be assured 

 during the absence of (Jovernment vessels, which nnist sometimes 

 happen. 



