44 INVESTIGATION OP THE FUE-SEAL INDUSTRY OP ALASKA, 



In 1913 Elliott and Gallagher declare that an "accurate survey" 

 and close estimate show that 80,000 seal cows are now in existence on 

 the Pribilofs. 



The above records of 1912-13, declare the fact that Dr. Jordan's 

 census of 1897 (p. 15, Treasury Doc, 1994; Treasury Dept., 1898), 

 as above cited, was wholly misleading and far short of the truth, for 

 the loss to that herd of seal cows at the hands of the pelagic hunters 

 since 1897, annually, has averaged not less than 25,000, or a sum 

 total of 350,000 cows in 14 years up to 1913. 



That loss of 350,000 cows has caused a still greater loss to that herd; 

 it has caused the loss of 350,000 newly born pups on the islands, and 

 at the same time the loss of that 350,000 pups which would have been 

 born had the mothers not been killed, in the years following that 

 slaughter. That loss of three seals to the herds' sum total, when the 

 cow seal is lolled, declares that this herd of 1897 has lost annually 

 since then at least 60,000 seals, or 840,000, from pelagic sealing alone; 

 therefore at least 1,000,000 seals, or at least 500,000 cows, must have 

 been in existence when Dr. Jordan declared there were only 129,216 

 of them on the Pribilof rookeries in 1897. 



And, further, the census of 1913, showing 80,000 cows, or 190,155 

 seals of all classes, alive on the rookeries then, declares the fact that the 

 census of 1890, made by Elliott, in which he located 400,000 cows (a 

 total of 959,000 seals of all classes), was fairly accurate and well 

 founded. 



THE FUR-SEAL CENSUS — CONCLUDING SUMMARY, AND RECAPITULA- 

 TION OF THE HOUSE CENSUS SURVEY OF THE PRIBILOF FUR-SEAL 

 HERD OF 1913. 



The sea rookery margin seiils are all lying down into the surf wash 

 to-day. All of these harems are fairly awash at this date (July 10-20, 

 1913), on the sea margins of the rookeries of both islands. In 1874, 

 and again in 1S90, these seals laid up above those surf -washed mar- 

 gins at least 7 to 10 feet higher than they do to-day. Wiry are they 

 descending into the danger of " surf nipping," which will destroy those 

 newly bom pups during violent storms ? Why, when there is the wide 

 open area now vacant, on which they rested in 1874, and 1890, right 

 behind them? 1 What has disturbed them? What has caused them 



1 The following note officially entered in the journal of the United States Treasury agent, St. Paul Island, 

 Under date of Oct. 11, 1S94, gives a fair idea of what a "surf nip" is and what it means as a danger to the 

 newly-born pups: 



" Thursday, Oct. 11, 1894. — In company with H. D. Chichester and Nicoli Krukoff, visited North East 

 Point and counted the dead pups, resulting in the finding of 2,S47. Owing to the tremendous surf of the 

 past few weeks the rookeries were well washed and thousands of dead pups carried out to sea. Neon Man- 

 arigan, who is in charge of the watchmen, reported that at times the entire rookeries were submerged, and 

 this statement is borne out by the fact that the point is almost separated from the mainland, the only 

 passage being the sand beaches on either side, the intervening ground being covered with water, and form- 

 ing a huge lake." 



" Thursday, Aug. 29, 1895.— A howling southeaster blowing all day. A large surf on all sides of the 

 island." 



Under date of Sunday, " Sept. 29, 1895" (p. 403), as to the effect of surf nip on pups, occurs the following: 



" Special Agent Adams, in company with Dr. Voss and Appolon Bordofsky, made a count of dead pups 

 On Lagoon Reef rookery. Only one dead pup was found adjacent to the water's edge, owing to the recent 

 BOtlthwest gales, during which the surf washed over the lower breeding grounds. The count was as fol- 

 lows: Dead pups, 300; pups in dying condition, 40." 



On page 410, under date of ''Monday. Xov. 11, 1895," Special Agent Adams declares that this rustling 

 among the pups, cows, and bulls to count the dead pups is detrimental, in the following language: 



" Examinations of the Reef, Lukannon, Polovina, Ketavie, and Tolstoi, demonstrate the fact that the 

 seals are mixed up, pups and cows being together and hauled well back from the water, a condition which 

 I am informed has never existed before to such an extent. It has, therefore, been impossible to make 

 drives from the above-named rookeries. A certain drive was ordered from Middle Hill. The seals seemed 

 restless, a condition noticeable ever since my return to the island, Sept. 13. Whether this is due to con- 

 stant disturbance during the summer and breeding season, they being constantly subjected to scientific 

 Investigation, can not sav positively, but am of that opinion. The counting of pups on the rookeries neces- 

 sitates the driving off of all seals, and is detrimental. It should be stopped. 



