shows man\ r individual inclinations. The birth is not ap- 

 pointed to a certain date of the month, but lasts from 

 3 — 6 months. Generally the herds, led by sexual inclina- 

 tion begin to assemble in March month and remain for 

 three or four months; after this time the herds begin 

 their departure; the state of the weather has a great in- 

 fluence on the herds assembling later or sooner. The 

 structure of the shore where the sea-otters stay, has an 

 influence on the value ol the furs. Very stony, also rough 

 places (as on the shore consisting of small conglomerate 

 or coarse sand) produce furs with the hairs rubbed off 

 on the stomach part, a sandy shore produces sea-otter 

 furs with short hair on the back too. The female has the 

 best skin as regards the colour, length and softness of 

 the fur wool. Best furs on the Commander Islands are 

 taken in March, April and May. The hair casting is partly 

 in July and August. The summer sea-otters are the least 

 valued. The first casting of hair after birth sets in after 

 5 — 6 months; the proper hair with the caractiristic under- 

 hair the sea-otter acquires towards the end of its first or 

 the beginning of its second year. Sea-otters, that are from 

 2 or 3 years old, have the best hair. 



Sea-birds, who choose the Commander Islands, as the 

 place for breeding are there in innumerable flights, though 

 by far not as many as in the north, on the rocks of 

 birds. The Islands lay too far southward. In this cold 

 damp climate, there is no possibility of getting guano. The 

 exploitation of the riches of birds is no more tought of 

 by the natives, than in making use of the flesh and eggs. 

 Feathers and down are only used for the real necessities 

 of the. people, generally the}' are thrown away together 

 with the skin. Making clothes out of bird-skins is no more 

 practised. The natives prefer birds with a lot of fat and 

 a peculiar taste. The number of different kinds of sea- 

 birds, constantly living on the Islands, is not great. Some 

 species of sea-gulls, two kinds of cormorants, Simorhyn- 

 chus and Sypttiliboramphus are known by the name ol 



