TAKEN IN SAN FRANCISCO. 443 



there are not nearly as many born "? — A. Certainly ; it has got all to do 

 with it. 



Q. Then really the killing of the females you attribute to the de- 

 crease? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. If sealing- continues as heretofore is there any danger of extermi- 

 nating the herdf^A. At this rate; yes, sir. Just keep at it and it 

 will be only a few years before it will do away with the whole business. 



Q. Do you think it is absolutely necessary to protect the cows in the 

 Bering Sea? — A. You ought to protect them, certainly; 

 in order to keep the thing going they ought to be ])vo- g-jrs'"***^*"'" ^'^'^^^ 

 tected. 



Q. Is it necessary to protect the cows in the Pacific? — A. They kill 

 the biggest half in the Pacittc, so that they ought to be protected there. 



B. Are they generally shot with a rifle or shotgun? — A. A shotgun 

 exclusively, you might say. 



Q. In your opinion do the seals on the Russian side intermingle with 

 those on the Pacific side, or are they a separate herd? — A. No, sir; 

 they do not come over this way. They are not a dif- ^^^^^^.^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ 

 ferent breed, but they keep over by themselves. At kan herds do uotmin- 

 least I don't think so. They follow their own stream sie- 

 along there. There is so much water there where there are seals^ and 

 so much where there are not. They are by themselves. 



Q. Now, then, if the cow seals are to be protected in the Bering Sea, 

 what month, do you consider it would be necessary to prohibit any be- 

 ing taken? — xV. Say from the middle of June until the end of the year: 

 something like that, the first of December. 



Deposition of Daniel McLean, sealer (master.) 



Daniel McLean, having been duly sworn, testified as follows: 

 Mr. Williams : 



Q. What is your name, age, residence, and occupation? — A. My 

 name is Daniel McLean; age, 43; occupation, master mariner; resi- 

 dence, San Francisco. 



Q. Are you ah American citizen? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Have you ever been engaged in the business of catching seals in 

 the Pacific or Bering Sea? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. For how long a period? — A, Eleven years. 



Q. Have yoti been master of vessels thus engaged? — A. Eleven 

 years. 



Q. What time of the year do you generally start out sealing in the 

 Pacific, and up to what time do you continue?^ A. I start out abi)ut 

 the 15th of December and stay out uutil abaut the 1st of October. 



Q. What time of the year are the seals practically all out of the 

 Pacific, having gone to the Bering Sea? — A. About 

 the 15th of June. Not all, but the body of tiiem. ab!af isthVima'"''''^" 



Q. According to your exi)erience, what percentage 

 of animals that are shot at are actually taken by the boats?— A. That 

 is according to the amount of ammunition t!iat we use. 

 About one third are taken. , t'^r/i '"'a'*l"''Af*" 



ken of those shot at. 



Q. Are the seals shot at asleep on the water or awake, 

 usually? — A. Most asleep. 



Q. Of what sex are the seals taken by you, or usually killed by hunt- 

 ing vessels in the North Pacific and Bei-ing Sea? — A. Females. 



