COPPER ISLAND IN 1896. 



153 



apparent increase this year is so slight that it is safe to say that on the corresponding 

 date of 1895 the number would have been greater than it was this year had the 

 weather been equally favorable from a seal's standpoint. 



While it is true that the season (August 4) was too far advanced to make the 

 comparison of the rookeries as satisfactory as it would have been two weeks earlier, 

 yet from the nature of the beaches on Copper Island the animals can not spread out 

 very much and the harems were still pretty well defined. Some bulls might possibly 

 have left already, which may account for the somewhat high percentage of cows per 

 harem. This might seem probable when we remember that 5 of the 6 bulls on south, 

 rookery, Bering Island, have already absented themselves, but it must also be kept in 

 mind that the latter are continuously disturbed by the drives. 



On the whole I should compare the condition of Karabelnoye rookery with that 

 of North rookery on St. George or Kitovoye on St. Paul. 



The marked decrease in idle bulls and half bulls on Karabelni is not to be 

 wondered at when we are told that 65 bulls have been killed off on purpose this year 

 (up to the time of my visit) besides 75 large bachelors, whose Skins weighed from 14J 

 to 18 pounds. 



The sad experience of last year had taught the authorities not to expect a very 

 large number of skins and that some lively hustling would have to be done if any 

 were to be got at all. A boat is therefore now stationed in Stolbovaya Bukhta and 

 bachelors were slain and skinned in some of the places where they have been safe 

 heretofore. Hence they had succeeded up to the time of my visit in getting at this 

 rookery 2,049 acceptable skins. 



I append herewith some tables showing the number of skins taken at Karabelni 

 and the weights of those taken up to the time of my visit. Also the number of seals 

 on the various dates this spring prior to the first drive. Most of these details were 

 kindly furnished by Mr. Wachsmuth. 



Table of fur seals Mlled at Karabelni, Capper Island, summer- season, 1896. 



