108 SEAL LIFE ON THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 



blown bitber and tbitber bytbe wind, or from sucb as niigbt be left by 

 tbe passing seals during a drive. It betokens the former presence of 

 numerous seals for a considerable period on ground now completely 

 abandoned. 



Wberever tbis matted bair is found abundantly tlie tops of tbe rocks 

 are worn smootli, a condition due clearly to tbe presence at some time 

 of living seals. 



At tbe back of all tbe rookeries, often for a distance of 200 to 300 

 feet or still more, tbis ])benomenon is observable, and even among tbe 

 bigb grass fartber back, wbere tbe rocks are abundantly covered witb 

 licbens, a careful examination reveals tbe presence of matted bair, 

 tbougb usually in a friable and decomposed condition. 



On tbe IJeef "parade ground" I examined an area about 50 feet 

 square, wbicb, according to pbotograpbs taken by tbe commission in 

 1891, was completely bare in tbat year, and found that it was fully one- 

 balf covered witb grass and flowering plants. Tbis indicates tbat some 

 of tlie changes at least are of very recent origin, and can in nowise be 

 regarded as ancient. 



iSuch facts as I have mentioned demonstrate tbat at no distant time 

 in tbe past the seals covered much more ground than they did tbis year. 



Of the changes wbicb have taken place since last year I can not speak 

 entirely from personal exjjerience. For a knowledge of the conditions 

 in 1804 1 have relied on tbe pbotograpbs and charts i)repared by Mr. 

 Townsend, naturalist of the Alb<(tros,s. These charts and i>hotograpbs 

 for 1894 I examined to some extent while on the ground tbis summer, 

 and more in detail since returning to Washington. In tbe latter 

 instance I have bad the advantage of comparing, side by side in com* 

 pany with Mr. Townsend, those of 1894 witb those of 1895. 



Tbe work tbis year was done about ten days later than last, on 

 account of tbe backwardness of tbe season. Making all allowances for 

 seasonal and other influences, I have no hesitation in aflirming that tbe 

 seals were considerably less abundant tbis year tban last. 



As already explained, tbe photographs were made under conditions 

 unfavorable in many ways, and some of them are not serviceable for 

 comparison, in others tbe shrinkage of the rookeries is very noticeable 

 and should be evident to untrained eyes. Tbis is true of the views 

 from stations 1, 4, and 5, Northeast Point; stations 21 and 24, Pola- 

 vina; station 12, Lukannon; stations 14, 14i, and 15, Keta vie; stations 

 16, 17, and 18, Keef; station 11 ami Station F, Tolstoi; station 7% Lower 

 Za])aduie; station, 2 ISTortb rookery (St. George), and Station B, Little 

 East rookery (St. George). Tbe changes which are observable result 

 cbieflyfrom a recession from areas of tbe rookeries, or a general shrink- 

 age along tbe inland borders. Accompanying these cbanges is a ten- 

 dency in breeding grounds, formerly of great continuous length, to break 

 up into detached areas. Tbis is very noticeable at Northeast Point, 

 Polavina, and Lower Zapadnie, St. Paul, and Great East, North, and 

 Zapadnie rookeries, St. George, and may be observed botb in tbe pho- 

 tographs and charts of 1895, when comi)ared witb those of 1894. As 

 Mr, Townsend informs me tbat be will report on these changes in detail, 

 and as tlie photographs and cbarts are his own work, and furthermore, 

 as bis experience runs back over many seasons, I do not deem itimportant 

 to enter more into details here. I agree witb Mr, Townsend tbat a 

 noticeable sbrinkage of tbe breeding grounds has taken place since 

 1894. I regard the herds as in a very precarious condition as regards 

 preservation, and while it is obviously impossible to fix limits in sucb a 

 case, if tbe oflt-shore sealing operations continue as at present I should 

 expect to see tbe cows practically exterminated in less tban five years. 



