274 THE PUR SEALS OF THE PEIBILOP ISLANDS. 



NOTE TO ACCOMPANY A PHOTOGRAPH OF ONE OF THE SEAL ROOKERIES OF 



LOBOS ISLAND, URUGUAY. 



When in Montevideo, Uruguay, in January, 1888, 1 procured a photograph, taken 

 in 1886, showing a portion of Lobos Island covered by seals. It represents the south- 

 ern fur seal (Arotocephalus australis), and is interesting, as it seems to be the only one 

 to be found representing southern seals of any species. 



The small rookeries of Lobos Island illustrate the good results following the care- 

 ful protection of the fur seal upon its breeding grounds. Although situated directly 

 in the track of commerce and within 5 miles of Maldonado, a town more than one 

 hundred and fifty years old, a profitable seal fishery has been maintained to the 

 present time. 



Commercial sealing was carried on here prior to 1820. The present lessees of the 

 island, operating under the directionof thetrovernment of Uruguay, placed upon the 

 London market, from 1873 to 1897, 319,746 salted skins, or an average of over 13,000 

 a year. Lobos Island is less than a mile in length, is low, brushy, and has a fiew 

 houses near its center. The odor and the noise from the rookeries are noticeable on 

 passing vessels. 



