Il6 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



islands in Alaska for such purposes. In recent years the growing scarcity of the animals 

 and the relatively high price obtainable for the skins have made it inadvisable to dispose 

 of the live animals at a price less than that brought by the skins. The advisability of 

 offering some encouragement to those engaged in the business of propagating foxes 

 being recognized, however, the following announcement was issued by the Secretary of 

 Commerce on July i, 191 3, in connection with the information relative to the leasing of 

 certain islands in Alaska for the purpose of raising foxes: 



The Secretary of Commerce will undertake to supply from the Pribilof Islands fox herds a limited 

 number of blue foxes for breeding stock to lessees of any of the islands that may be leased, or to other 

 responsible parties operating fox ranches in Alaska. Such foxes will be sold under competitive bids 

 and will be delivered to the purchasers at Unalaska on a date to be agreed upon. 



Later this offer was extended to include persons engaged in raising foxes elsewhere 

 than in Alaska. As a result of this offer a few small lots of foxes have been sold, at a 

 price of about $100 each. These have been young animals. 



In considering the advisability of continuing this practice, it is necessary to bear 

 in mind a variety of peculiar circumstances, particularly the present low state of the 

 fox herds in point of numbers and vitality, and the impossibility of arranging for prompt 

 and uninterrupted carriage of the animals from the islands to their destination. The 

 latter difficulty is likely to lead to undue mortality during transit, resulting in the waste 

 of valuable life and causing dissatisfaction to buyers. 



The present unsatisfactory state of the fox herd is an even more serious objection 

 to the disposition of animals for breeding. The herds need the retention of the best 

 blood, and it is of course unwise to allow inferior stock to be used for starting new herds 

 elsewhere. 



It seems wise, therefore, to discontinue for the present the sale of animals for breed- 

 ing purposes. When the herds shall be brought up to a higher state of efficiency as 

 regards numbers and quality, the disposal of a limited number of animals of high quality 

 might well be considered. This could then be done without injury to the herds, and 

 would faciUtate greatly the establishment of a legitimate and profitable industry. 



Experiments in domesticating foxes. — The readiness shown by the foxes of St. George 

 Island in responding to feeding has resulted in many of them becoming semidomesti- 

 cated. This has led to the advocacy of experiments being made with a view to improving 

 the fur and the physical condition of the animals by selective breeding. It is thought 

 also that the raising of a larger proportion of the young to maturity might be effected, 

 since it would assure their proper nourishment during the critical period when in a state 

 of nature they are abandoned by their parents. It is thought by some that the eventual 

 domestication of all the foxes of the islands would be profitable. While it is believed 

 that this is impracticable, it is evident that some experiments in raising the animals 

 in inclosures may well be made. The experience thus gained would be of great impor- 

 tance to prospective breeders of the animals and would also help to an understanding of 

 the needs of the wild foxes on the islands. 



