THE RUSSIAN FUR-SEAL ISLANDS. 
G3 
Uuited States Fisli Commission have brought out correctly the main facts relating to 
the life-history of the seals. 
We have frequently seen, however, that the various exceptions alluded to have 
been brought forward in the controversies relating to this theme as particularly 
essential, thus obscuring the main questions, while, on the other hand, conditions have 
been described and depicted as so uniform and stable that it has been easy for the 
opposite side to controvert these assertions, thus throwing doubt upon the correctness 
of the whole argument atid the soundness of the conclusions. It may be useful, 
therefore, to review a few of these questions. 
A protracted stay at the rookeries reveals two facta. The one which probably 
first impresses the observer is the curious stability of the general outline of the 
groups of breeding seals, especially if the comparisons be made at frequent intervals 
during the earlier part of the season. The masses of seals assume certain definite 
shapes which in many cases have no aiiparent relation to the nature of the ground 
upon which they are lying. Thus, on the North Reef Rookery on Bering Island, a 
very peculiar feature of the distribution of the breeding seals this summer was a 
narrow band of seals which extended obliquely across the northern end of the 
“parade-grounds,” cutting off from the latter a small oval portion, visible in most of the 
l)hotographs (plates 19, 21, 22) and also indicated in the map (plate 8), and connecting 
the masses of seals oti the western side of the reef with those on the eastern side. 
I have walked over the territory thus curiously occupied many a time, but I have 
failed to find any difference in the ground which will account for this belt or answer 
the question why the seals do not also occupy the bare oval island it surrounds. 
To appreciate this general stability of the outline, it is necessary to have had an 
o]iportunity to observe the rookery for some length of time. A person avIio had only 
a few days at his disposal for examining the same rookery might, on the other hand, 
be impressed by the fact that on two differeift days, or at different hours of the same 
day, the outlines thus referred to present entirely different aspects, and if he offered 
photographs in evidence of this fact he might seemingly prove the instability of tliese 
lines. Thus, the “band” of seals on tlie North Reef Rookery above alluded to did 
occasionally entirely disappear, particularly during the warmer portion of briglit, 
sunny days, or after the rookery had been disturbed by a recent drive (see pi. 26). 
Nevertheless, this “band” was a very characteristie feature of the seals on that 
rookery. Single iihotographs are therefore of no particular value for comparison from 
year to year unless they are tahen hy a person familiar loitli th.e characteristic distrihution 
and the viea^ is selected hy him for that particular purpose. The main I’eliance must, 
therefore, be placed upon the observer, and his statements must be received in 
accordance with his known experience, accuracy, a, ml intelligence. 
PROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF SEXES AND AGES ON ROOKERIES. 
A question which of late has been given considerable prominence is that of the 
relative number of breeding females and old bulls on the rookeries. Upon this, and 
upon the closely connected one as to the number of females a bull is able to serve, 
there has been a great diversity of opinion.’ My experience this summer leads me to 
1 While maintaining that the value of the guesses as to the number of females a l)ull is able to 
serve is of necessity very dul)ious, I may mention thatMr. Kluge, who for eight years spent the summer 
upon Tiuleni Island with the seals practically under his very eyes the whole season, informed me this 
summer tliat “ he does not for a moment believe that tweiity-tive females to a bull are in the least too 
many,” though he did not venture to guess at the maximum. 
