72 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



around the village picking up everything of an edible nature and many 

 things not edible. They came in greatest numbers when the weather 

 was clear and cold. 



"Since that time all seal meat on St. George, not used by the 

 natives, has been salted within two or three days. of the killing, and fed 

 to the foxes during the succeeding winter. When taken from the silo 

 it is half rotten, most of the brine having escaped, but the foxes prefer 

 it to fresh beef, mutton, or fish of any kind, as has been learned by 

 experiment. With the exception of three seasons, the catch of seals has 

 been under 2,500 and, as fully half the meat is required by the natives, 

 it has been necessary to supplement the amount allowed the foxes with 

 other food. 



"In the spring and summer, thousands of sea birds make the islands 

 their home. This is the time the foxes enjoy life to the utmost. The 

 birds are very numerous and, in the early part of the season, many meet 

 death or injury accidentally and, of course, fall a ready prey to the 

 foxes. During the month of May, hundreds of small auklets or ' chooch- 

 kies' in flying to and from the sea, strike the telephone wire and are 

 killed or injured. No sooner do they reach the ground, however, than 

 the foxes are there to pick them up. For the first few days, reynard will 

 eat the entire bird, but, later on, as he becomes surfeited, he eats only 

 the head and leaves the body untouched. The eggs of birds are a deli- 

 cacy enjoyed by the foxes. The 'arrie' or murre and other large birds 

 lay their eggs on shelving rocks on the cliffs; and it is astonishing to see 

 a fox climb around an almost inaccessible place, secure an egg and carry 

 it away for its young, to return shortly and repeat the operation. 



"By September 1, the birds, their breeding season being over, have 

 mostly left the island, the deaths among seals on the rookeries are few, 

 and marine food is not abundant, so it behooves the foxes to seek food 

 in other quarters. 



"One season a mush of either corn-meal or middlings was used; 

 but, while readily eaten by the foxes, it was not good for them. Dried 

 fish was tried and found excellent food, and, during the last two years, 

 salt fish has been in use. Salt itself is deadly to the foxes, so that in 

 feeding salted food, care must be taken to thoroughly freshen it. 



"Seal killing begins in June and, as the carcasses are left on the 

 ground, a good supply of food becomes available. It appears, however, 

 that, at that season, the eggs and meat of birds are preferred to seal 

 meat, as the latter is seldom touched, while bird feathers and egg shells 

 are to be found along the trails and at the mouth of every fox warren. 

 With the departure of the birds in the fall the foxes follow the shore 



