NOTES BY TREASURY AGENT CROWLEY. 



The following notes were jnade by Mr. J. B. Crowley, special agent, after the 

 departure of the commissioners in the fall of 1896 and before their return in the 

 summer of 1897 : 



November 3, 1896. Two large gray pups were killed this afternoon on Lukanin 

 rookery and their stomachs examined. One stomach contained over a quart of milk 

 and the usual stones, the other about half a pint of milk of a pinkish color. No traces 

 of other food than milk was present. 



November 5. Eeef rookery was visited this morning. No evidence was found of 

 the departure of pups. Many of them were in the water along shore, and many cows 

 were with their pups on land. Many pups were observed nursing. No holostiaki 

 were hauled out on the Eeef. 



November 6. A visit to Lukanin rookery showed no bachelors hauled out. There 

 were a good many cows and some bulls on the rookery. There was no evidence seen 

 of the departure of pups. They seem fewer in number on land, but more plentiful in 

 the water. Many of the branded pups in good condition (one of them nursing its 

 mother) were seen. 



November 14. A few bachelors are hauled out on the Eeef mixed with the cows, 

 of which there are many still on the rookery with their pups. Many pups were seen 

 nursing. The usual number of old bulls are about the rookery among the cows. They 

 are in excellent condition. The warm weather of the past week has evidently brought 

 out many seals and the bellowing of the bulls and cows reminds one of the days 

 earlier in the season when the harems were being formed. 



November 19. The seals have been gradually leaving Lagoon rookery for the 

 past ten days. Not more than one- third of them remain. Cows are present on the 

 rookery about in proportion to the remaining pups. A noticeable decrease is observed 

 in the seals on Eeef, Kitovi, and Lukanin rookeries. The presence of cows and pups 

 at this date is undoubtedly due to the unusually mild weather. 



November 26; The seals are gradually leaving and those still remaiuing are 

 restless. The older pups are disappearing. Those remaining seem to be in proportion 

 to the cows. Eight branded pups, in good condition, were counted on Lukanin and 

 three on Kitovi. 



December 1. A few pups are present, but they are rapidly leaving the rookeries. 



December 4. No pups were to be found on Lukanin and Kitovi rookeries this 

 morning. A few yearlings, bachelors, and some young bulls were hauled out on the 

 xocks. 



December 6. A food drive was made to-day from Eeef and Tolstoi; 354 seals were 

 killed. One cow was killed on the Eeef, in accordance with instructions from Dr. 

 Jordan, for purposes of scientific investigation. One male gray pup was killed in 

 accordance with similar instruction. The stomach showed no trace of food of any 

 kind. The pup was very fat, the blubber along the back and sides being an inch and 

 a half thick. Among those killed this morning was a seal with a fresh gunshot 

 wound, from which the blood was flowing. Two buckshot were found in the fleshy 



part of the fore flipper. 



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