130 SKAI. I. IKK ON THK PRIHILOK ISLANDS.. 



ji fenialo, a jnece of s(|ui(l; uihI in anotlic.r, material reseiiil)]iiig ])artly 

 digo,ste<l crustaceans. 



The water tliionjili wliicb we lijid i)ass«(l was consideiably discolored, 

 and tlie few seals taken were ca])tuied wheie crustaceans were the most 

 abundant. In the eveuinj;- larj>:e flocks of j^uillemots, ])etrels, and auks 

 were noticed, ai)iiarently feeding. No small lish being noticed, it was 

 sui)i)Osed that the birds were feeding on miiuite surface life. 



On August 1 .") the weather was very ])leasant, only light airs disturb- 

 ing the water, and a finer day for sealing could not be desired. By 5 

 a.m. all the boats ha<l left the vessel, not returning until about the same 

 liour in the e\ ening. A i-onsideiablc number of sleeping and traveling 

 seals were in sight niost of the day. Those that were traveling were 

 not, so far as was observed, going in any one direction. Sometimes a 

 bunch of two or three would suddenly start toward the southeast, swim 

 rai)idly for a few minutes, stop, and go in an opposite direction. Fre- 

 (jucntly four or fi\'c would make a complete circle around the vessel at 

 a distiince of a (juarter of a mile. In a few instances young seals came 

 and ]»layed about, (li\ lug and swimming, etc. 



An abundance of seals was seen from the vessel, but as they occur 

 in bands more or less widely separated, it was not certain that the 

 canoes and small boats would get among them. All through the day 

 whales and birds were nunuMous and the water was very much dis 

 coloied, signs now looked upon as favorable indications for a successful 

 day's hunt. 



At f !>. m. tlie boats began to return and by o'clock they had all 

 arrived except one. The day proved faii ly successful, 09 seals having 

 been taken, 31 males and 08 females. Nine was the highest catch and 

 1 the lowest by a single boat or canoe. They were by far the largest 

 seals yet obtained, oidy 8 of the fcnuiles l)eing under 3 years of age. 

 All of the stoma<;hs were examined, but only 10 of the number contained 

 food, some a small amount of liquid matter, and others Alaskan pollock 

 and what ai)i)eare(l to be ])ieces of cod. 



In the evening the wind began to freshen from the east-southeast 

 aud later the stars were visible for the first time since we had entered 

 the sea. All through the night the wind was fresh, causing a choi)py 

 sea by morning. 1 )uring this time we had worked 20 miles to the west- 

 ward. A sharp lookout had been kept for the missing canoe and a 

 torchlight was dis]>layed at frecpient intervals. 



No boats were lowered during the day, the conditions being unfavor- 

 able. The wind <lid not blow^ hard at any time, but was strong enough 

 to i)revent the seals from sleeping. In the afternoon we spoke the 

 schoonci- Louis Olscn, which had taken 30 seals the day before. At 4 

 p. m. we attemi)tcd to sound in latitude 55'^ 15' north, longitude 108° 

 west, but got no bottom, although we were close to the edge of the 

 bank. Just before <lark a young seal came alongside ami began to 

 l)lay about the vessel, first on one side and then on the other, aftbrding 

 great amusement to the Indians. After a good many wild throws it 

 was cai)tured and proved to be a female. 



On August 17 a fairly good day's work was accomplished. Light 

 airs prevailed from southeast aiul east-southeast, with freciuent calms. 

 Light fog and showers occurred several times during the day, but they 

 were not heavy enough lo prevent seals from slee])ing. Early in the 

 juorninga young seal came alongside and was taken. At (5 a. m. all the 

 canoes were lowered; after their departure no seals were seen from the 

 vessel. I^iarly in the afternoon a (!anoe belonging to the schooner ISan 

 t/osr boarded us and reported that vessel as having 5.'>(> skins. At 7.30 



