Oass SH^ Bo*_: U4- '^QS 59th Congress, ) SENATE. J Document 1st Session. f | No. 98. ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. LETTER ^^ FROM J*3 S' THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE AND LABOR, TRANSMITTINC, PURSUANT TO SENATE RESOLUTION No. 15, OF DECEMBER 7, 1905, COPIES OF CERTAIN REPORTS RELATING TO THE ALAS- KAN SEAL FISHERIES. DECEMBEfi 3(1, 1905. — Referred to the Coniuiittee on Territories and ordered to be printed. Dep.\ktment of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary. Wco^hington^ Dcceiuher 19, lOOo. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of copy of Senate Resolution No. 15, Fifty-ninth Congress, first session, directing me to furnish for the information of the Senate copies of certain reports •elating to the Alaskan seal fisheries. In response thereto I have the honor to transmit herewith, as equested in said resolution, copies of all the reports of the agent in harge of the seal fisheries of Alaska made by that agent during the 3ars 1904 and 1905, inclusive, in obedience to the directions of this epartment dated Ma}^ 1, 1904, and subsequently as they have been med, together with copies of all inclosures which accompanied said ports. In this connection attention is called to the fact that the copy Exhibit No. 10, of the annual report of 1904, is not an exact copy yjx the document on file in this Department, the figures as to the cost of dwellings and goods on hand having been omitted for the reason that they were given to the Department in confidence and with the understanding that they would not be made public by the Department. They have therefore been omitted from the copy of Exhibit No. 10 furnished herewith. The reports herewith transmitted bear date, respectively, June 7, 1904, August 12, 1904; September 7, 1904: June 17, 1905, and Octo- ber m, 1905. Respectfully, V. H. Metcalf, Seerefarij. The President of the Senate. 2 ALASKAN SEAL FISIIKKIKS. , n^f No. 1. ^ \^V PRELIMINARY REPORT TO DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR, 1904, OF W. I. LEMBKEY. AGENT ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. Okikk of Spkoial A(4Ent Treasury Department, •sy. J*an/ Ixl,n}(l, Ala da, Jiuw 7, 190 1^. Sir: I luive to report my arrival here on the Htli instant, after a stay of a few hours on St. (Teorg"e, While badly handicapped for time, I found opportunity on the latter island to explain to Major Clark the novel features involved in the current instructions and to furnish him with extracts from such letters from 3'ou as relate to the weight of skins, the marking of bachelors, and the importance of obtaining full statistics on St. George during- the coming summer. Mr. Judge and nu'self also counted the bulls on two rookeries on St. George during our stay there. I found the record of seals on St. (jeorge to be as follows: Left over, September 1, 1903 1 Food killings, October 19, 1903, to May 31, 1904 497 Killino; by lessee, June 1, 1904 26 Total 524 Average weight, (ji pounds. Foxes killed on St. George, winter of 15>03-4: Blues 471 Whites 15 Total 486- The total native population on St. George on my arriv^al was 94. There have been 5 V>irths and 3 deaths during- the current tiscal year, an increase of 2. Count of seals on St. George, June 5, 1904: North Rookery 102 bulls, 8 immature bulls, 7 bulls in the surf not landed, and 10 bachelors. Staraya Artel 30 bulls, 18 bachelors, 1 half bull. On June 10, 1903, there were: North Kookery 109 bulls. 8 holustiaki. Staraya Artel 32 bulls, 20 holustiaki. Our counts on St. George w^ould lead us to believe that little or no diminution will appear in the number of breeding bulls. Later developments may change this opinion, however. Since our arrival j^esterday we have counted the following seals on St. Paul: Reef ] 79 bulls and 42 bulls not stationed. Ardiguen 9 bulls. Gorbatch Cliff 10 bulls, 3 bulls not stationed. Gorbatch 104 bulls and 11 bulls not stationed. Ketovi 36 bulls and 11 bulls not stationed. Amphitheatre 5 bulls and 2 bulls not stationed. Lukanin .- 41 bulls and 5 bulls not stationed. Lagoon 16 bulls and 9 bulls not stationed. Tolstoi Cliff .30 bulls and 2 bulls not stationed. Tolstoi 1 20 bulls and 4 bulls not stationed. 1.^ lAM IQnr^ ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 6 On June 10, 19CK^, the following counts were made: Gorbatch Cliffs 15 bulls. Gorbatch 113 bulls. Ardiguen 13 bulls. Ketovi 53 bulls. Amphitheater 6 bulls, 3 half bulls. Lukanin 51 bulls, 3 half bulls. It is probable that there will be a decrease noted in the breeding- bulls on St. Paul, but, perhaps, in a smaller degree than noted last year. There were killed for food on St. Paul last wintei" 2,065 seals, and this spring, for quota, 179. These, with 312 on hand from last year, make a total of 2,556 in the salt house. Last winter 15 blue and 5 white foxes were taken on St. Paul. There will be no foxing there the ensuing winter. I regret the lack of time necessary to make a more complete state- ment. I have delayed this until within an hour of the ship's sail- ing in order that 1 might include additional seal data which Mr. Judge has been collecting. Mr. Chichester will be on St. George for the summer, and I have informed him thoroug"hly regarding* the neces- sity for good work on St. George. With the promise of a good season's work, I am, believe me. Very trul}', yours, . I W. I. Lembkey, Agent, Seal fdavuis. Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerli\ DeparUnent of Coiinneree and Lab<^r. No. 2. ANNUAL REPORT TO DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR, 1904, OF W. I. LEMBKEY, AGENT ALASKAN SEAL FISHERLES. Office of Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaslri, August m, 190.1^. Dear Sir: 1 have to make the following summarized report of the condition of afi'airs on the seal islands of Alaska during the sealing season ended July 31, 1904: The following number of seals was killed during the season by the lessee on its quota: St. Paul 8, 732 St. George 1, 500 Total 10, 232 The following number of seals was killed for food before and after the regular sealing season, or left on hand from previous seasons: St. Paul 2, 545 St. George 496 Total 3, 041 The figures for St. Paul include 140 skins taken for food on August 9, 1904. 4 ALASKAN SEAL FISHEKIKS. The following- shipniont of skins will In' mud*' hv llic coiiipunN' tlii.s fall: St. Paul 11, i;{2 St. Cieorge ■. 1, 99<) Total 13, 128 The lessee'.s quota of 15,000 .skins was not tilled, for the rejison that a sufficient number of seals of proper size was not present. The following number of bachelors was branded this spring" Island. 2-year-old8. 3-year-olds. 4-year-olds. St. Paul 800 200 800 200 ."iO St. George Total 1,000 1,000 50 Branding" was completed on St. Paul on June 25 and on St. George July 2. The number of breeding bulls with harems and idle bulls found this summer on both islands was as follows: Island. Harems. Idle. Total. St Paul 1,790 312 232 62 2,022 374 Total 2, 102 294 2, 39t; The counts of pups on both islands at the end of the season of 1904, with a compari.son of the counts for the season of 1903, follow: IslaiKl. 1904. 1903. Decreasf. St. Paul ^ 21,309 13,583 ! 24,801 14,647 3,492 St. George 1,064 . The census of breeding cows and of bulls, breeding and idle, on the two islands, for the seasons of 1903 and 1904, follows: Island. Bulls. Cows. 1903. 1904. Decrease. 1903. 1904. Decrease. St. Paul St. George 2.402 «415 2,022 374 382 41 82, 649 14,647 74,002 13,583 8,647 1,064 Total 2,396 423 97,296 87,585 9,711 a Est imated. The average harem during the past season (1904) was 39.83, as com- pared with 40.29 during the season of 1903. The lessening of the average harem is caused by the fact that the decrease in breeding cows during the interval between the seasons of 1903-4 was greater than the decrease in bulls. 11 JAN mc, ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 5 On the area on which pups were counted on St. Paul Island, the decrease in harems was found to be 13.99 per cent, while the decrease in pups or breedifig cows was 14.9 per cent. During the season of 190-4 there occurred in the various drives of the season, and, including the food drive on the 9th of August, 641 large rejections, 4,794 small rejections, and 1,888 rejections of branded seals. During the same period in 1903 the rejections were as follows: 912 large and 1,185 small. The increase in rejections from drives in 1904 was the result of the regulations restricting the killing to a mini- mum of 5i pounds. All skins taken on St. George during the sealing season, as reported by Agent Clark, were weighed. On St. Paul, all but 145 skins taken during the sealing season were weighed, the latter number being over- looked b3'the natives who gathered up the skins on the field for weigh- ing. The bulk of the company's catch is skins of 2-year-olds, but a fair number of 3-year-olds, also, were taken. No yearlings were included in the catch, and but few were seen in the drives. One yearling was killed b}' me during the summer to determine the weight of that class of skins. The entire animal, a female, weighed 33 pounds, and its pelt weighed 3i pounds. A detailed report of the season's work will be made as soon as ]>i"a('- ticable after the departure of the company's vessel. ' Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief CJerl\ Departiriertt of Comnu'rce and Lahoi-. No. 3. Annual Report to Department of Commerce and Labor, 1904, of W. I. Lembkey, Agent Alaskan Seal Fisheries. St. Pall Isla'xd, Alaska, Sepiemher 7, 19Ul^. Dear Sir: 1 ha\e to submit the following report of the operations on the seal islan'ds of Alaska during the year ended August 1, 1904: ARRIVAL AT ISLANDS. In company with Assistant Agent James fhidge. on the lessee's steamer If" //. Kruger^ sailing from San Francisco May 24, 1904, I reached St. George Island June 5 and St. Paul Island the following morning, June 6. Agent Chichester, who had passed the preceding winter on St. Paul, was requested to take passage for St. George, there to assist Agent Clark in the season's work. At the close of the summer both these gentlemen took passage on the company's steamer Kruger for San Francisco en route for their homes. Agent Judge remained with me on St. Paul during the summer and on August 14 took passage on the Kruger for St. George, where he will be in charge during the ensuine- winter. ALASKAN SKAL FISHERIES. HItAXDINC OF HACIIELOKS. 'riic inarkiiio- of the luuiiber of young male seals requiivd by the DepartiiuMifs instructions occupied my attention at once upon arrival at the ishmds. These instructions required the markino- and ndeasino' of 1,000 3-year-old males and 1,000 '2-year-old males, in tlu^ proportion of 800 of each class from St. Paul and 200 of each from St. (Teoroe. Because of statements made last winter before the Ways and Means Committee and ditlerino- analyses of the classification of sizes of Pribilof Islands' seal skins exposed for sale in London last year, some doubt existed in my mind whether a greater number of 3-year-old males existed than were required to be marked and released. In order to secure the number of 3-year-old seals to be reserved on St. Paul, therefore, I considered it necessary to obtain them before the company began to kill for its quota. I therefore notified the representative of the company, Mr. Redpath, that I would be obliged to withhold permission to drive for skins until drives had been made from the several hauling grounds and the requi- site number of each class of bachelors obtained and marked. 1 was required to take this action also from the fact that by the Department''s instructions the seals so to be marked were to be of the best animals appearing in the first drives of the season. As the first seals to reach the hauling grounds are always the strongest and finest in appearance, it was obvious that the seals to be branded should be from this class. DRIVES FOK BKANDINC. The drives for branding were made as expeditiously as the presence of seals on the hauling grounds justified. On June 11 a small drive was secured from the reef, from which were branded 15 2-3'ear-olds: 63 3-year-olds, and 5 4-year-olds. On June 16 another drive from the same rookery was made, from which 188 2-year-olds and 273 3-year- olds were branded, or a total from that rookery of 54A: seals, including those branded previously — 203 twos, 336 threes, and 5 fours. As that was considered a sufficient number to be branded from the reef the l)randing apparatus' was brought to the village. Our next object was to brand at Zapadni, and to take the forges there in boats. As the landings continued too rough to take boats to that point it was determined, for the sake of expedition, to bring what seals could be found on the hauling ground at Zapadni overland as near to the village as possible, and to brand them there. Accordingly, drivers were sent overland on the evening of .June 20 to Zapadni, from which place they made a drive and brought it during the night to the head of the lagoon, about a mile from the village, and on the morning of -June 21 the gang was taken there on foot, the forges being hauled l)y a team and wagon ])elonging to the company. As the result of a morning's work 27-1: 2-year-olds and 130 3-year-olds were branded from Zapadni. While the main party was working on these seals, a few drivers were sent to Tolstoi hauling ground near by, and a small drive secured from that rookery. They were kept seperate from the Zapadni seals. ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 7 and after the latter were branded, work on the Tolstoi seals was be^un. But a heav}' rain began to fall a])out this time, and after branding" 31 3-year-olds and 8 3-year-olds from Tolstoi the seals' fur became so saturated with w'ater that the hot irons made no impression on it. We accordingly had to cease branding, and what remained of the Tolstoi drive of a killable size were knocked down and skinned. The branding apparatus and the skins taken, 33 in number, were left on the field, and brought in next day b}" the company's team. The only remaining hauling ground on the island was Northeast Point, and it was determined to secure the remainder of our quota of branded seal from that place. We were delayed in so doing by the rough weather, which made it impossible to use our boats to take up the branding outfit and the natives, and especially by the reports from the watchmen that only a meager suppl}' of seals was there. Mr. Redpath, the company's agent, objected to delaying the company's business of taking seals at the point by the branding, but I had no other alternative, being still short over 300 seals of the quota of 800 3-year-olds. He then offered the use of the teams to take the gear to the point, hoping thereby to expedite the work of the company by disposing of the branding. On June 22 the watchmen at Northeast Point reported only 200 seals there. As we needed over 600 it was thought best to defer imtil more seals had hauled up. On June 23 only 200 were reported present. On June 24 no increase was reported, but it was determined not to wait longer and to go up and get what was there and to make another ■drive at that place if necessary to fill the branding quota. On June 24, therefore, with three teanis, a start was made to North- east Point, and early the following morning a drive was secured. I was agreeably surprised to find nearly 1,000 seals in the drive instead of only the 200 reported by the watchmen. On June 25 we commenced branding at 7.30 in the morning. It being a Avarm, dry day, by 10 a. m. the seals were so warm as to show ■exhaustion and to make it decidedly unwivse to work them further. They accordingly were turned into a small lake to cool off and kept there until 3 p. m., when they were driven out. By 4 p. m. they were dry enough to be branded, and the work commenced and continued until 7 p. m., Avhen a total of 292 2-year-olds and 326 3-year-olds had been branded, filling the quota of 800 of each class for this island. As an experiment, 45 4-year-olds were branded and 2 7-year-old bulls from those of that class found in the drive. The necks of the bulls were so large in proportion to the size of their heads that much trouble was experienced in keeping the snares from slipping over their heads; but they w^ere finally secured and branded, just to show what the gang- could do. The 4-year-olds were branded because they were of killaltle size and might, if not marked, be inadvertently clubbed during the season. After finishing brandino- 1 notified Mr. Allis, one of the company's agents, that I had branded the number of seals required of this island by the Department, and that 1 would, therefore, turn over the business to the company to get what skins they could for their quota. As a small number of seals was still left in the drive after branding all that were necessary, such as were of killable size were clubbed and skinned 8 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. and tlio polts loft on the gTouiid till luoniino-, to l)c then weighed and salted, it lieing too late to do any more \voi"k that day. The next inornint)' it was found that 141 skins had l)een secured the previous evening. The tabulated result of the branding operations on St. Paul follows: Date. Rookery. 2 years. 3 years. 4 years. 1904. Reef 15 188 274 31 292 63 273 130 8 326 16 do ^.<. 21 >^ 21 Tolstoi 25 Northeast Point Total 45 800 800 .50 METHODS USED IN BRANDING. The method of driving bachelors for l)ianding way similar to that used in driving for skins. When the drive reached the appointed place small pods were successively cut out, as in clubbing. The detached pod was surrounded by men provided with poles about 7 feet long, at the end of which was a loop of lope, with both ends fastened to the pole. This noose of rope was passed over the head of the animal and enough turns taken to twist it tight around the seal's neck. The animal was then dragged by means of the noose and pole away from the pod and its head held down securely by a long pole or yoke laid across its neck, the yoke held down by a man on either end. On many occasions, when the animal was especially large or vigorous, it was further secured Iw having its hind flippers grasped and held oti' the ground by an extra man, who also put a foot on either foreflipper, rendering the seal incapable of twisting its head clear from the yoke. The animal was then ready for branding, which was done b}' means of a red-hot iron bar, heated in a forge, passed quickly between the e3"es to the l^ack of the head, and then across the head forward of the ears, at right angles to the tirst brand, the whole mark resembling a letter T. BRANDING ON ST. GEORCiE. On St. George, as reported by Agent Clark, branding was begun on June 7, when a drive of 17 seals was secured, out of which eight 3-year- olds and one 2-year-old were branded. From this date the branding was continued by selections made from the drives. Hot irons were used. On the 21st of June rain was falling, rendering the use of the hot irons impossible. Some sheep shears in the possession of the company were then tried for clipping the hair and fur, and, according to Major Clark, it was found that an eliecti\'e mark could be made with the shears even more conspicuous than that made with the hot \ron. It was found further that by the use of the shears the work of brand- ing need not be delayed for wet weather, as they could be used with equal facility on wet as on dry seals. The ])randing on St. George subsequent to .lune 21 therefore was done with shears. The entire (|uota on St. George of 200 2-year-oIds and 200 ^-year-olds was obtained bv Julv 2. ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 9' The list of brandings on th'at island as reported to me follows: Date. 3-year olds. 2-year olds. 8 4 45 25 122 1 13^ 21 June 21 13 June 23 41 June 28 . . 68 July 2 - - 43 Total 204 200' DRIVES DURING BRANDING. During the period necessary to obtain the quota of branded seals, two small drives were made from Tolstoi to furnish food for the natives, from which 119 skins were secured. On June 20, having obtained all the seals it was thought advisable to brand from the reef, the company was authorized to make a drive for skins from that rookery, from which 247 skins were taken. The meat from the carcasses of seals killed on this drive was a welcome addition to the natives' supply of fresh meat, of which the}^ had had but little since the vessel arrived. DRIVES MADE BY THE COMPANY. As soon as branding was finished the company began killing for skins, and killed as often during the summer as the numbers of bache- lors on the hauling grounds would justify. Since the first of June, 1904, up to and including July 31 following, 33 killings of bachelors were made, including the two on June 21 and 25 from drives made for branding. Of these June killings, however, one was made on Sea Lion Rock on June 4 by the Government ofli- cer to furnish food for the natives. As the companj^ by its contract is not allowed to drive from that place, and as the two drives for branding mentioned were made also by direction of the Government agent, and can not, in justice, be charged to the company, it may be said that the company made 30 drives for skins on St. Paul during the period from June 1 to July 31. The company's killing season, however, actuall}' did not commence on St. Paul until after June 25, on which date branding was finished. NUMBER OF FOOD DRIVES BY GOVERNMENT AGENTS. During the fall of 1903 and spring of 1904, 13 drives were made by the Government agent on St. Paul, to supply food for the natives and the foxes. Adding to these the two killings from drives made for branding, and one drive made on August 9. for food during the stagey season, and a total is had of 16 drives under the management of the Government ofiicers on St. Paul. NUMBER OF SKINS TAKEN. During the drives on St. Paul by Government agents 2,580 skins were taken. During the drives made by the company 8,379 skins were 10 ALASKAN SKAL FISHP:RIES. taken, or a total of 10,U65 skins taken \m St. Paul since the close of the last season. Adding to this , number 812 skins left on hand from previous seasons gives a final total of 11,277 skins in salt on arrival of the company's vessel on August 11. 1!>04. Of these 11,1?>2 skins were shipped from St. Paul Island, as evi- denced l)v the shipping receipt foi'warded in my letter of August 13. This would leave 145 skins in the salt house to be applied toward the catch of next season. On St. George 1 skin was left in the salt house from the preced- ing season. From October 19, 1903, to May 31, 1904, there were 15 drives made for food by tlie Government agents, exclusive of 5 kill- ings of 2 skins each by the watchmen at Zapadni. A total of 496 skins was thus secured, including the 1 skin left over. From June 1 to July 31, 1904, 22 drives were made by the company for skins, excluding one killing of 2 seals made at Zapadni for watchmen's food. A total of 1,500 skins was secured during the period allowed the company to kill. At the end of the season 1,996 skins were in salt on St. George, all of which were shipped by the lessee toward its quota of 2,000 for that island. WEIGHTS OF SKINS. On St. Paul Island all skins taken in every killing made since my arrival there this spring were weighed on the scales provided by the Department, with the exception of 145 skins overlooked by the natives in gathering up the skins on the tield for the purpose of weighing. A detailed summarv of the weights for St. Paul is appended, marked "Exhibit 4." On St. George, as reported by Agent Clark, all skins taken after the 1st of June last, w^ere weighed. His list of weights, marked '"' Exhibit 16, " is attached also. Agent Clark reports that the greatest care was exercised in keeping the weights within the limits specified l)v the Department. A series of measurements was made by Mr. Chichestei", showing the average length of a seal the skin of which weighed a given number of pounds. When doubt arose on St. George as to the eligibility of an animal, it was hauled out of the drive by a snare, measured, and killed or rejected as the measurement showed the skin to be within the acceptable class or otherwise. Notwithstanding these precautions, over 5 per cent of the skins taken on St. George, as reported to me by Agent Clark, were under the limit of 5^ pounds. On St. Paul, where sometimes two-thirds as many seals were handled in one day as were killed on St. George during the whole summer, it was not feasible to measure seals or to delay the killing while the seal in question was under debate. Dependence was had solely in the judgment of the clubbers to select seals having skins over 5^ pounds. Of the 8,408 skins weighed on St. Paul, 634, or 7 per cent, were under' 5^ pounds. These include the road skins, or skins of seals becoming exhausted on the drive and clubbed by the drivers before death in order to save the skins from overheating. They include also seals struck accidentally in clubbing and despatched to avoid the risk of the animal's djnng at sea from the effects of the chance ]>low. Of the 519 skins taken on St. Paul between 5 and 5^ pounds it may be said that they represent the impossibility of accurately determining ALASKAN SEAL FISHERrES. 11 in every instaiu'e the weig'ht of a skin on a live seal to within a frae- tion of a pound. Note should betaken also of the diHerent methods of skinnino- prac- ticed bv the native workmen. Some skinners shave the skin to the very pelt, leaving- no blubl)er adhering-. Others leave more or less blubber on the skin, requiring, in some cases, the skin to be '"'blub- bered'"' or refllensed. A diflerence in weight of from an ounce to "2 pounds thus can l)e made in skinning. A clean 5-poun(l skin shows underweight, but had half a pound of blubber been left on it it would have been within the limit and its appearance remained unaltered. WET SKINS. The weight of a sealskin depends largely ui)on the amount of mois- ture present at the time of killing. A skin will a))sorb from half a pound to a pound of water. If the killing- is done in a wet place, or in wet grass with the rain falling, or if the animals are driven through water to cool them oti' the skins will retain enough moisture to make the weights greater than if dry. On days when absolutely dry seals are killed the weights of the same-sized skins will be lighter than on other days when moisture is present and the skins become wet. MEASURES TO AVOID UNDEKSIZED SKINS. While I was cognizant of the fact that some skins, of necessity, must appear in the killings that were outside the prescribed limits, 3'et I thought it best, for a i)roper observance of the instructions, to bring- to the notice of the clubbers on every killing the existence of the regu- lations, and to request caution to avoid killing too small or too large seals. On Jime 29. owing to the presence of small skins in the catch, I had a conference with the company's general agent, Mr. Kedpath, in which 1 asked for instructions to the clubbers enjoining particular care in clubbing to avoid the killing of these smaller animals. These instruc- tions were given cheerfully and in my presence. On July 19, subse- quent to a drive made that day from the reef and Gorbatch, when 76 per cent of the whole number of seals driven were killed, and 11: per cent of the skins w'ere either under or over the prescribed weights, I had another conference with Mr. Kedpath. I showed him the table of weights compiled from those taken during the various drives made this summer, and called his attention to the number of undersized skins weighed. I stated that I was forced to protest against the pres- ence of these skins in the killings, and had it in mind to make the pro- test in writing in order that a record of my action may be made. Mr. Redpath, in reply, expressed his surprise that that number of small skins was present, and assured me that thereafter the greatest care in clubbing would be exercised. The next morning, in the killing fi'om Zapadni. Mr. Redpath made a short but forceful speech to the clubbers, cautioning them to avoid killing any undersized seals at all hazards, and instructing them, if there was any doubt as to the size of an animal, to allow the seal to escape. I have no hesitancy in stating that on that and subsequent 12 ALASKAN SEAL FLSHKKIKS. killing.s seals wcic i-cleused which would have furnished 5i^-pouiKl pelts. On the 25th of, July I had another talk with Mr. Redpath on the occasion of the api)earanoe of 28 undersized skins in the killinjj- from Zapadni. On this date I furnished him with a detailed statement of the weights of skins taken since our conference of the 19th. He stated that it was impossible to avoid the killing of some seals in the pro- hibited classes without allowing the escape of a number of eligible seals, but that he would make every effort to keep the weights at the proper standard. He then took from the clubbing gang several young clubbers, leaving the clubs in the hands of old and experienced men only. These facts are not cited for the purpose of charging the companj- Avith any attempt to exceed the regulations, as nothing of that kind was done, but to show that, with all proper care taken, ineligible skins were unavoidably present. On St. Paul, to guard against the killing of -i-year-olds, I placed a limit of 8i to 9 pounds as the maximum weight of skins. Against this action Mr. Redpath, for the company-, protested. During the season, however, 171 skins were taken over 9 pounds in weight, which is due, so far as I am able to say, to errors in judgment in clubbing and to the other causes which led to the presence of underweight skins in the killings. UE.JECTIONS FROM DRIVES. The true test, however, of the efficacy of the regulations designed to prevent too close killing is found in the record of seals dismissed as ineligible from the drives made on St. Paul since the time when the regulations were given effect. In order to insure as great accuracy as possible, Mr. Judge and 1 divided the work of counting the seals dismissed, he keeping a record of the branded seals turned away, while I took note of the number of those dismissed that were not branded. Our record of dismissals, therefore, is as nearly accurate as could be made. In 1903, when no restriction was placed on killing, there were 912 large and 1,18.5 small rejections. Of these small rejections, only 723 were made during the lessee's sealing season, the remainder, 426, occurring during tlie two food drives n.iade by the (Tovernment agents on August 4 and 10. During the period of killing l)y the lessee in 1903, therefore, its agents turned away only 723 small seals as ineligible. In 1904, after the enforcement of the regulations requiring brand- ing and the estal)lishment of a o^-pound minimum limit of weight, there were 641 large dismissals, 4,794 small dismissals, and 1,888 dis- missals of ])randed seals. As the latter are composed of 2 and 3 year olds — immature seals — they may properly be added to the list of small rejections. There actually occurred, therefore, during the summer of 1904, 641 large and 6.«'.S2 small rejections on St. Paul. As only one food drive was made in August, 1904, on St. Paul, when 5 large and 302 small and 11 branded seals were dismissed, it will be seen that the greater portion of the rejections occurred during the lessee's sealing season and were turned away by its agents. ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 13 The dismissals b}' the lessee's agents durinu- the lessee's sealing- seasons of 1903 and 1904 on St. Paul follow: Year. Large. 884 636 Small. 1903 723 1904 1 6,369 The whole record of dismissals for the two seasons is as follows: Year. Large. Small. 1903 1 912 ' G41 1 185 1904 H,682 The decrease in 1904 in large rejections is due to the lessened num- ber of that class of males on the hauling ground, caused by close killing. The increase in 1904 of 5,497 small dismissals over the pre- ceding 3'ear shows at a glance that the condition sought to be allevi- ated has been met. I regret to state that I have been unable to lind among the other- wise complete statistics furnished me b}- Agent Clark of the season's work on St. George a list of seals dismis.sed. l.have taken such steps as I was able, how^ever, to have the data furnished this fall by Agent Judge. Note should be made in passing of the' number of bi-anded seals appearing in this summer's drives on St. Paul. The whole number branded on that island was 1,650, composed of 800 2-year-olds, 800 8-year-olds, and 50 4-j' ear-olds. Of the rejections of branded seals, 1,320 were of the two-^^ear class and 568 of the three-year class. Knowing that 800 of the two-3'ear class were in existence, it would appear that there w^ere 520, or 65 per cent, more rejections in that class than the whole number known to exist. Of the 800 3-year-olds branded, only 71 per cent of the whole number returned and were dismissed during the summer. As this is the tirst opportunity given to experiment with the percentage of return of a given number of seals, the information is interesting, and shows that the 2-3'ear-old seals haul much more frequently than the 3-year-olds. A number of St. George brands appeared in the drives on St. Paul. The St. Paul brands, as reported by agents Clark and Chichester, were also present in some number on St. George. It was not thought to keep a record of these seals from the other island until late in the season. It would go to prove, however, that a greater fluctuation exists among bachelors than before supposed. AVORK ox ROOKERIES. Coiaits of seals. — Agent Judge and I made as nmny intermediate counts of seals on the various rookeries as was possible during the summer, in addition to the regular counts of harems at the height of the season and the count of pups at the end of July. 14 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. The harcMii count, which includes idle l)ulls, and maturo young bulls givino- o round on our approach, terincHl l)y us **(iuitt<'r,s," as well as regulai' l)ulls occupied with cows, follows: Kookerv. Lukanin Ketovi , Amphitheatre . ., Lagoon Tolstoi Cliffs Tolstoi Zapadni Reef Little Zapadni... Zapadni Gorbateh Cliffs . . Gorbatch , Reef Ardiguen Northeast Point . Little Polovina . . Polovina Cliffs. . . Polovina Total Idle Harems. Total idle. Total bulls. Sta- 'Quit- tioned. ters." 51 7 7 14 65 69 « 3 9 78 12 24 2 1 2 6 14 .5 30 38 4 3 7 45 149 20 .. 20 1S9 4C> 4 4 8 .54 100 10 .. 10 110 250 31 4 35 285 12 1 .. 1 13 1.51 9 6 15 166 2S6 22 10 32 318 1.5 1 .. 1 16 4.54 31 9 40 494 21 •) ■) 4 25 40 2 4 6 46 72 17 5 22 94 1,790 172 r.o 232 2,022 The number of idle bulls enumerated does not include ''hauling- ground'' bulls, or those young bulls found apart from the cows on the areas frequented by the bachelors. Some idea of this class of animals, constantly fluctuating in numbers, may be gathered b}- a reference to the number of large rejected seals marked in the statistics of killing- for this year. This record of rejected seals does not contain an accu- rate count of all large seals found on the hauling grounds, as it is the object of the drivers to cut out, or dismiss, as many large seals as pos- sible between the time when the drive is made and the time it reaches the killing ground. An attempt was made by me this summer to classify the large rejected seals according to their ages. As the seals were turned from the killing ground to make their way back to the rookery, in addition to counting them, I made as careful an estimate as 1 could of the ages of the large seals. As considerable difference of opinion has alwa3's existed regarding the ages of bulls and half bulls — and, in fact, bach- elors — the classification made by me is given simply as ni}' personal opinion of the ages of the large seals turned away. The table follows: Date. Rookery. 4 years. 5 years. 6 years. 7 years. 8 years or over. 1904. June 10 Tolstoi do Reef 7 4 18 6 3 6 ".5 21 6 3 18 5 1 14 8 9 6 23 3 9 5 4 2 2 I 11 4 10 1 3 13 2 15 6 3 3 8 9 2 i 8 20 21 Tolstoi 25 •; 26 Polovina . . 27 Reef 29 Zapadni. . . J ulv 1 2 4 Tolstoi Reef Zapadni Northeast Point . 2 3 8 1 2 2 1 4 2 8 Tolstoi Reef Northeast Point 2 7 2 9 4 U 2 2 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 15 Date. Rookery. 4 years. 5 years. 6 years. 7 years. 8 years or over. 1904. July 14 15 16 Zapadni Reef Northea.st Point Tolstoi Reef 10 5 G 5 1 2 \ 1 3 2 1 a 18 19 20 Zapadni Northeast Point 4 12 3 (i 8 2 6 4 ^4^ 5 2 ] 3 22 7 1 2 7 1 8 4 12 3 3 6 1 23 Tolstoi 25 Zapadni .. 13 11 4 4 2 1 i 8 4 3 26 12 27 9 27 9 28 Tolstoi "> 29 Zapadni 1 30 5 7 2 1 31 (; Aug. 9 Reef and Gorbatch Total 3 224 156 128 80 53 While the question ma}' be open to discussion whether a seal is 6 or 7 years old, there can be no dou])t, at least in ni}^ mind, of the fact that the seals marked in the table above as being less than 8 years of age are young animals and not superannuated wrecks, too old to perform the necessaiT functions in a harem. Counts of pups. — Beginning July 29 counts of pups were made on the rookery spaces where similar counts have been made for several years. The following table shows the counts so made, with those of 1903 inserted for purposes of comparison: Rookery. Ketovi Lagoon Tolstoi Cliff Zapadni Reef Poloviiia Cliff Ardiguen Lukanin West side Northeast Point East side Northeast Point Little Polovina Polovina Gorbatch Cliff Sea Lion Rock Amphitheatre 1903. 1904. Harems. p Average ^"P*^- harem. Total . 13 2,350 1,262 1,786 1,320 1,540 575 2,453 2,855 993 1,067 4,472 690 2,923 515 543 I 24,801 31.75 48.53 40.59 30 29.61 38.33 43.80 .50. 08 32. 03 44.46 52. 61 31. 3S 39.61 12 467 Pups. 2,147 1,084 1,571 1,091 1,412 565 2,020 2, 812 831 941 3,691 481 2, 705 458 21,309 Average harem. Per cent decrease of harems. 31.11 45. 16 41.34 23.71 35. £0 37.66 39.60 48.16 43.73 44.80 51.26 40. 08 38.16 0.067 .076 .136 O.C45 .23 .089 .157 .387 .125 .1.52 .454 .077 39. J3 Per cent decrease of pups. 0.086 .141 .12 .173 .083 .017 .176 .19 .193 .118 .174 .302 .074 .110 .149 The count of rookeries made from time to time during the season will be found appended as Exhibit 7. DECREASE IN ROOKERY LIFE. BtiUs. — The count of bulls this summer on St. Paul, as shown on page 16, was 2,022 bulls, consisting of 1,790 harem masters and 232 idle, while that of the previous season (1903) was 2,402 bulls— 1,984 harems and 418 idle. Their comparison shows a decrease of 380 bulls k; ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES, of all c'iasse.'?, or 15. S per cent, as well as a decrease of lt»4 harem mas- ters, or H.T per cent, and a decrease of 18*! idle, or -1:4.5 per cent. Covix. — As shown by the precedinj>- table, a decrease of :>,492 breed- ing cows, or 14. 1> per cent, on the rookerv space on which pups were counted has occurred since 1903 on St. Paul. Couiits on St. George. — A summary of the counts of breeding bulls made on St. (Jeorge this summer b}^ Agents Clark and Chichester, as reported to me by Agent Clark, follows: Rookery. Bulls. Harems. Idle. 141 67 24 19 53 70 128 50 21 18 39 56 13 East Cliff<» 17 EiKt Reef 3 1 14 14 Totul 374 312 62 Estimating 415 bulls — 364 harem masters and 51 idle bulls — on St. George in 1903, there would seem to be a decrease of 41 bulls there since that time. Pups on St. Geoi\/e. — An actual count of pups on that island in 1904 disclosed 13,583 pups— 13,312 live and 271 dead. By comparison with the count for 1903 — 14,582 live and 65 dead— a decrease of 1,064 breeding cows, or 7.2 per cent, is found. CENSUS OF BEEEDING COWS AND BULLS. The number of breeding seals on St. Paul Island in 1904, as deter- mined l)y the count of all the harems except those on Sea Lion Rock, where an estimate is made on the basis of the average harem of 39.83, and a count of pups on over one-fourth the rookery area (from which is determined the average harem, on which an estimate of seals on the remaining area was made), was 1,857 active and 232 idle bulls, and 74,002 adult females. On St. George an actual enumeration of all bulls and pups shows 312 active and 62 idle bulls and 13,583 cows. This gives a total for both islands of 2,169 bulls with harems, 294 adult idle bulls and 87,585 breeding cows. COMPUTATION OF HALF BULLS. In estimating the number of half bulls existing, reference is had to the table of killings, which shows 588 rejections of seals under 8 years of age, consisting of 224 4-year-olds, 156 5-year-olds, 128 6-year-olds, and 80 7-year-olds. The rejections of branded seals this year shows that the older the bachelor the less often he will visit the hauling grounds. In the case of the branded 3-year-olds, not enough returned to the hauling grounds to make the number of subsequent rejections equal to the whole number branded. The actual number of rejections in this class was 568, or 71 per cent of the 800 branded. By this we know that, in the 3-year-old class, the whole number existant is greater ALASKAN SEAL FTSHERIES. 17 than the whole number of rejections, ev^en allowing- that the same animal was driven twice in many cases. That the frequency with which young- males visit the hauling- grounds becomes less as the age of the animal increases is but natural, for as the animal finds an attraction in the female increasing- with its age, it assuredly would devote more and more of its time to seeking- her. In the case, therefore, of the -i, 5, 6, and 7 year old classes, it is safe to assume that a greater number than 30 per cent was not present on the hauling gi-ounds at any time during- the season when drives were made, and that the addition of at least 50 per cent to the number of rejections would be a conservative estimate of the number of that class of ani- mals. This method of computation would increase the number of rejections of .young- bulls found on the hauling ground on St. Paul — 588 — to 882, as the whole number of that class present on that island. While I have not, at present, a list of the rejections for St. George, it would be safe to estimate the half bulls on that island at one-fifth of the number found on St. Paul, or 176. For the two islands, there- fore, according to this method of estimation, we have 1,058 half bulls between the ages of 1 and 7 years, which is more than likely below the number actually in being-. NUMBER OF BACHELORS AND VIRGIN COWS. In 1902 the census of breeding- cows showed 94,882 to be present on both islands. The offspring- of these females are presumed to be equall}" divided as regards sex. The pups born that 3^ear therefore would consist of 17,111 males and an equal number of females. Owing to their extreme 3^outh and their inability to withstand the hardships of their migratory journey and the assaults of their natural enemies a death rate of 50 per cent is accepted as occurring- among the pups from the time they leave the islands until they return the following- year as yearlings. Assuming this condition to exist, there were in 1903 17,111 yearling- seals, of which one half, or 23,720, were males and the remaining half females. These seals, having- survived the vicissitudes of the winter's jour- ne}" and being inured to the hardships of the sea, were subject to a much smaller death rate during- their migration as }• earlings than they were as pups. This diminished death rate would be in the neighbor- hood of 30 per cent. Deducting- 30 per cent from the number of year- lings in 1903 to allow for casualties at sea would bring- 16,601 2-year- old cows and the same number of 2-year-old bachelors to the islands in 1901. As, approximately, 9,000 2-3^ear-old bachelors were killed this sum- mer by the company, there would be left, at the close of the season of 1904, by this method of computation, 7,604 bachelor 2-year-olds and 16,601 2-year-old females. Account has been taken heretofore only of casualties at sea from natural causes. No deduction has been made for decrease from pelagic sealing. What allowance to make from this cause is mere conjecture. We know that, practically, 6,500 rejections of 2-year-old males occurred on the islands this summer. In the case of the 2-year-old S. Doc. 98—05 2 18 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. branded rejects, the number of those turned awii}' from the drives exceeded the whole number branded by 65 per cent. Applying this rule to the whole number turned away of the islands, the 0,50») dis- missals would represent practically -t,5UU animals. If 7,604 2-year-old males were in being', as shown by the previous computation, it would mean that there were 8,000 of this class that did not haul on the islands at all, or were present on Sea Lion Rock, Ottei' Island, Zapadni Point, and the other isolated hauling grounds, from which no drives were made. While I know that seals were present on these places last mentioned, the tiuctuation shown this summer among branded seals raises a doubt in my mind whether as many as 3,000 animals could avoid being driven at least once during the season. To avoid overestimation. I would rather place this number not driven at all at 1,000, leaving the difterence of 2,(K)0 to Ije accounted foi- as having been destroyed by the sea hunters. If 2,000 is deducted from the previous estimate of the number of 2-year-old males, it must be taken also from the same estimate of the number of 2-year-old females (16,()04), leaving 14,604 of that class in existence this summer. FIMAL ESTIMATE OF TWO-YEAR-OLDS. It is, therefore, estimated that 5,500 2-3'ear-old males and 14,604 females of the same class were present this summer on the islands, at the close of the sealing season. YEARLINGS PRESENT IN 1904. The census of 1903 showed 97.296 pups born. B}- the method of computation already used, one-half, or 48,648, were males, and the other half females. As they would be reduced 50 per cent by their first winter's migration, 24,324 females and 24,324 males would return to the islands in 1904 as yearlings, not counting the effects of pelagic sealing. The latter cause, during this spring and summer, probably destroyed 3,000 of each class, leaving 21,324 yearling males and 21,324 yearling females remaining at the close of the summer of I'.Hll. NUMBER OF THREE-YEAR-OLD BACHELORS. One thousand of this class of animals were branded this summer on the islands. The killings on St. Paul this summer, as nearly as I can determine, contained 1,037 skins of 3-year-olds, or those above 7i pounds and under 9 pounds. Approximately 200 were killed on St. George. There were, therefore, at least 2,200 3-year-olds handled this summer on both islands. The dismissals of branded 3-year-old seals show only 71 per cent of the whole number present in the drives. It would be proper, therefore, to increase the whole number found present by 30 per cent, or 660, making a total of 2,860 to represent the number of 3-year-olds present this summer. As 1,200 of these were killed, there would be 1,660 still in existence. ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 19 SUMMARY OF SEAL LIFE. A sunimarv of all .seal life on the islands, at the close of the season of 190-1:, based upon such counts as were made, and the preceding cal- culations, show the following: Active bulls with harems 2, 169 Idle bulls 294 Half bulls 1 , 058 Three-year-old bachelors 1, 660 Two-year-old bachelors "5, 500 Yearling bachelors 21, 324 Breeding cows 87, 585 Two-year-old cows 14, 604 Yearling cows 21 , 324 Newborn pups 87, 585 Total 243, 103 SHRINKAGE IN ROOKERY SPACE. From the data given it will be tieen that a decrease in pups born has occurred since last year of 8,647 on St. Paul and l,0(j-i on St. George, the first marked decrease in pups occurring in the census for several This decrease is not due to imperfect fertilization b}- bulls, but to an actual shrinkage in breeding females. This is apparent in the abandonment of certain portions of rookeiy space. This shrinkage has occurred on the extremities of the rookeries marked, leaving the central portions as densel}" populated as heretofore. For example, that portion of Ketovi rookery consisting of bowlder beach from Black Bluffs to Ketovi Point last year contained 14 harems. This year it contained 4 harems, in all of which were 10 cows. These 4 harems were located immediate!}' adjacent to the point. The remain- der of the rookery space mentioned was deserted. The north half of Lukanin rookery is practicalh' deserted. The high south portion was as densely populated as heretofore, but that portion under the low bluff's — a favored spot of observation for 3'ears past — contained only 5 straggling harems of 1 or 2 cows each. At the north end of the breeding area several harems of 10 and 12 cows each occurred, but in the whole area mentioned the absence of cows was sadly apparent. On the oc<"asion of the landing of freight and passengers from the Thetis on Jul}' 27 — the first vessel to visit the islands since the spring trip of the Kruger — it was not safe to take the boat back to East Land- ing. It was therefore brought around to Lukanin, and landed under the low bluff's mentioned, without disturbing a seal, where several years ago a succession of thriving families svould have been found. Gorbatch Cliff's is the narrow, outlying north end of Gorbatch Rook- ery. This summer there were 12 harenis there at the height of the season, and 481 pups. Last summer there were 22 harems and 090 pups, showing that a decrease of 30 per cent in cows occurred there. The east side of Northeast Point, from No. 1 to and including Sea Lion Neck, to a mere observer, showed a decided shrinkage in seals. In 1903, 31 harems and 989 pups were counted here. In 1904 only 19 20 ALASKAN SKAL FISHERIES. harems wore found, aiul S'M pups. In this case the diniinutiou in harems is more pronounced than in other localities. In 1903 the a\er- age harem in this space was 31 + , while in 1904 it was 43+. On the west side of Northeast Point a most visi})le shrinkage was noted, the area from the extreme west end to No. 94 being- without an}' seals whatever. The averaoe harem on the west side to No. 84 in 1904 was 48+. as against 50+ in 1903. Here the decrease in cows was greater than in Indls, hence the lowering of the average harem. It is probable that in several 3'ears there will l)e no seals east of Sea Lion Neck at Northeast Point. These instances, typical in tlieir character, show that by no means the same number of cows was present in 1904 as in 1903, and that the decrease in pups noted on St. Paul Island occurred from a lack of adult females and not from a failure on the part of bulls last season to impregnate the cows. Had the latter been the case the same num- ber of cows would have been noted, and the first evidence of dimunition would have been met with in the count of pups. But the decided vis- able contraction in space occupied by cows this year shows that a nuich smaller number of cows was present, and that to this fact alone must be laid the absence of the usual number of pups. PRESENCE OF IDLE BULLS. With the decrease in adult bulls on all the rookeries of 382, or 15.8 per cent, from the number present last year, there were still 232 bulls on the rookeries this year that had no cows at the height of the season out of the 2,022 present, or 11 per cent. These were not superannu- ated bulls, "impotent and somnolent,"' as they have been stigmatized, but active l)ulls, eager for the cows that did not come, and much more aggressive and tierce than the bulls which had secured large harems and which had been doing duty as harem masters since the arrival of the females. Our observations have led us to believe that bulls will return to the same position from year to 3'ear. If these positions are on rookery areas which are frequented by cows, the bulls occupying them will have large harems. If, on the other hand, the l)ulls chance to have selected spots more or less deserted by cows, their harems will be small or they will have no harems at all. These positions are held by the bulls until at least the height of the season, even if they have been without cows. Then they probabl}- leave their stations for a few days in the water, during which they rest and feed, to return, and, if possible, pick up a harem from the virgin cows and the broken-up harems of other bulls. By the 15th of August the rookeries may be said to be abandoned to these idle bulls, which, even at that late date, show considerable energy in the discharge of their duties as breeders. DIMINUTION GREATER AMONG COWS. On the rookery space on St. Paul on which pups were counted as well as bulls and harems — and from the count of which the average harem was established — the decrease in harems was found to be 13.99 per cent, while the decrease in pups was 14.9 per cent. This demonstrates that in this area there was 1 per cent greater decrease in cows than in bulls, with a result of decreasinp- the average harem from 40.29 in 1903 to ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 21 39.83 in 1904. The census of breeding cows for the whole island of St. Paul — using\the average harem for estimation on the large rook- eries where no count of pups could be made — shows 74,002 cows in 1904 as against 82,649 for 1903, a decrease of 8,647 cows or onl}^ 10.4 per cent. As this whole census, however, involves the element of estima- tion noted, the percentage of decrease, obtained from its comparison with the census of the previous year, should, in my judgment, defer to the percentage obtained from an actual count only. CAUSE OF DECREASE IN COWS. As before shown, the diminution in pups was not caused by an}'^ insufficiency of adult male life, and that it must be laid to a lessened number of cows present. As absolutely no evidence of an epidemic or unusual death rate among cows or pups was found, the cause must be sought in the only remaining factor destructive to the herds, namely, pelagic sealing. While I have no means of determining with accurac}' what was the catch of the Canadian and Japanese sealing fleets last season and this spring, I am inclined to l^elieve that during those periods their activitj^ in connection with the Pribilof herd was unusualh^ destructive. If the exact figures of the pelagic catch for the last two seasons could be obtained they would probably show an unusual mortality among seals. FIGHTING AMONG BULLS. During the period of my observations of the islands 1 have never been able to reconcile existing relations between adult bulls to the statements in the early reports of incessant and deadly fighting among them. The reader of these reports would be led to believe that the landing of an adult bull is the occasion of desperate fighting between himself and the bulls already stationed, or those coming later; that he must rout other bulls to make place for himself, and, after having obtained this location, he must constantly repel invaders seeking to land and possess themselves of his preemption. While seals were not present in nearfy the same numbers during the period of my stay on the islands as the}' were in the time of the Alaska Connnercial Company's lease, they occupied a riiuch smaller space dur- ing my time than the}' did when there were thousands more present. Within this smaller area their actions must have been practically the same as they were when there was a greater number present and the space covered by them was much larger. My observation has been that the first Ijull to arrive laid down on the spot where he landed and immediately went to sleep, and slept continuously for a week or more unless disturbed by man. If sur- prised by the latter, the bull generally retreated hastily into the water, swinmiing out a hundred yards from shore, and there waiting until the departure of the disturbing element, when it would return and haul up at the same spot. This occurs in the cases of all early arrivals. 'While on St. George, in the spring of 1901, I noted one bull that ^ took up his station on top of a sheet of soft ice several feet thick, formed by^surf spray splashing over snow, beneath which was a table of lava rock. The bull at once went to sleep, and continued sleeping 22 ALASKAN ^^EAL FTSHERTES, until the hoiit of his body had melted the iee beneath him to the solid j-ock. leavint)- him in a shallow pit, the sides of which were from two to three feet hig-h. This shows that the bull had not moved from his orioinal position for some days at least. The other bulls arriving take up their positions among the bulls already there, there being generally enough space between them to allow for another without crowding or dist\u"bance of vested rights. As indicated before, the bulls on first arrival are usually wary and timid, and instead of looking for a tight will slip into the water when alarmed by the approach of man. After being on shore awhile the bulls lose the timidity shown at their landing, and, while hard fighting is not a usual thing to be seen among them, a bull may be noted here and there with a cut hide, the compli- ments of a surly neighbor. But even after the greater number of bulls is stationed, a new bull occasionally can haul up among them, take a favored spot, and meet with little or no opposition. The following quotation from my notes of June 9, 1900, will illustrate this fact. Lukanin perfectly quiet when I approached. Two bulls finning close to shore. One lands, and is savagely attacked by five bulls at once and literally thrown back into the water. He resumed his finning. The incident started a roaring here and there, being taken up by others in the distance, just as the howling of a dog at night is answered by another canine a mile away. It started ten or twelve bulls to bluff- ing, but no fighting, and all was quiet in three minutes. The other bull in the water landed while I was counting. He waddled leisurely up among the other bulls and calmly took up a position in their midst. He was challenged by but one bull and met the bluff in a leisurely way without coming to blows. Shaking his mane, he settled himself — resting on his fore flippers — and gazed out at the sea. He soon starts to bluffing his nearest neighbor on his own account. He is large and fat, and evidently an accomplished beachmaster. It can thus be seen that of these two bulls one landed without ques- tion while the other was repulsed. The latter was probably a young bull. It may be said of these young bulls, or those .seeking positions on the rookeries for the first time, that they are subjected to much rougher treatment than the older bulls give each other. This is natural, for the young ones lack the courage and assurance necessary to breast up to a rival and make a bold showing, which is really half the battle between bulls. On- the contrary, the younger upon being- challenged generally turns to retreat or loses his courage and lowers his guard after the other has taken a nip at him. He is then, of (course, an easy victim and is severly handled before he reaches the water or tights back with the desperation of the frightened animal. The timorous landing of a young bull on the water's edge is a signal for the bulls in that vicini-ty to rush at him, some even following him into the water in his hasty flight. These younger bulls usually land at one or the other ends of a rookery and travel along its rear to the portion of the rookery having the greatest number of cows, where the}^ station themselves far enough back to be out of range of the nearest harem. If the youngster's bravery is equal to it, he will approach near enough to be set upon by the nearest bull, from which encounter he will probably retire with more than one bloody gash in his sleek coat. Sometimes a young bull, either through fright at the approach of man or othei- cause, is stampeded, and seeks the water l)y plunging through the rookery. His coming is a signal for the bulls ii! his neigh- borhood to gather in a common cause to repel the invader. The latter ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIJ:S. 23 is set upon by two or three bulls at once, and does not reach the water without a territic mauling-, if he is not killed outright. It is not intended to intimate that these adult bulls pass an entire summer without friction between each other or without — in certain eases, at least — serious coniiicts. It is simply desired to demonstrate that tio-hting is not an immediate and necessary consequence of the arrival of these bulls on the islands. \A'hile these old males sleep dur- ing- the greater portion of their time before the arrival of the cows, more or less ii-ritation occurs as the rookery space is tilled up and the bulls are brought closer together. This usually iinds a vent in bluff- ing, or approaching each other and, just beyond reach, making a feint by striking with the head and emitting several loud ''coughs'' in the nature of battle cries. These are either treated with unconcern by the one on the defensive or answered in kind. Occasionally they come together, but after a bite or two at each other in which fur is pulled out, and perhaps a gash made, each retires to his position and very likely soon goes to sleep again. A desparate battle sometimes occurs, but is distinctly the exception rather than the rule. Then the teeth are locked in the neck or fore flipper, and the animal having the advantage of superior strength or position, "breasts" the other one, seeking to push him over and thus take him at a disadvantage. This sometimes results in a draw, and sometimes in the defeat of one, who probably is driven to the water line and leaves the I'ookery to haul up somewhere else if his wounds are not serious. Very rarely, by reason of some special animosity, bulls keep up a fight for hours. Last summer, on Lukanin, I noted two fine bulls that were covered with wounds when I first saw them, and so exhausted and sore that moving about seemed a torture. Yet every few seconds one or the other, with a puff' of rage, would make a lightning-like pass at his antagonist seeking to get another piece of flesh from him. Both had high courage, and both had fought to a standstill. One of these bulls was so badly injured that, while he did not quit the position he held on the rookery, it was not until a month afterward that his wounds allowed him any freedom of movement. While the above incident is extreme as representing the fighting between bulls, vet, at one time or another during the summer prob- abh^ every bull on the rookeries has some disagreement with his neighbor that leaves its mark, either superficial or otherwise, on his hide. The cows of course are the disturbing element on the rookeries, and the height of the breeding season shows the greatest amount of fighting- among the males. PRESENCE OF YOUNG BULLS APPARENT. Among the bulls regularly stationed on the rookeries there was a fair proportion of young adult males. It was n\y purpose to make a canvass of the rookeries for the express purpose of judging the age of each bull present, but after attempting it I was obliged to give it up because of the amount of conjecture involved in classifying middle- aged bulls. From my examination, however, I can say with assurance that all bulls stationed were vigorous and virile. Probably 4 per cent of them 24 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. showed .sign:? ol" heiiio- advanced in years, but oven these had harems and were as assiduous in discharging- their duties as heads of families as any others. The greatest portion of the V)ulls were of middk^ age, in the Iust\' prime of their maturity. Young bulls were present at all time — on the rookeries with cows. Ijack of the rookeries, waiting for cows, and on the l)achelors' hauling grounds where they rest after futile attempts to secure a station on a rookery. The bulls present last sunnner were of the best quality, and. as a class as good as could be found on the rookeries live years ago when the idle l)ulls present made it perilous to count the seals. YEARLINGS IN DRIVES. Special attention was paid by me to the presence of yearlings in drives. The first seen was on June 28 in a drive from Zapadni. It was so small that it was killed to determine its weight. It was a male and weighed only 2f):^ pounds. It, undoubtedly, was a small example of its class. It was saved for a specimen, and the weight of its skin could not be taken. On July 1 there were 3 3'earling seals in the drives at Northeast Point. One of them, a typical specimen, was knocked dovyn at my direction to ascertain the weight of the skin. It was found to be a female. The carcass before sticking weighed 34 pounds, and the skin taken off hurriedly,' with considerable loose blubber adhering weighed 4i pounds. The removal of this loose blubber left the skin weighing onh" 'Sh pounds. While no further effort was made to determine the weight of year- ling skins, this instance shows that the skins of this class of animals are far below the limit of weight now prescribed b}^ the Department, and are too small to have appeared in the company's catch at any time, except by an accident in clubbing. On July 5. at Zapadni, 5 yearlings appeared in the drive. On Jul}' 25, at Zapadni, several yearlings Avere noted while killing. As the season reached its close more of these yearlings were noted, but it was not possible to enumerate them, in addition to segregating the 2-year- olds, branded seals, and half bulls. On the last drive made, on August 9, for food, a larger number of these 3'earlings was seen than at anj- time heretofore, and among them was a sprinkling of verv small cows, undoubtedly yearlings also. These 3'oung animals appeared in such small numbers, however, during the killing season, with the exception of the last few drives, that the company's catch would have been augmented but slightlv had aU been killed. ABSENCE OF COAVS IN DRIVES. The comparatively few cows in the drives this yeav was a matter of note by m3self and Agent Judoe. On the last drive of the season, August 9, 2.5 cows were seen. On the drive made on August 10, 1903, 179 cows were counted. During the preceding drives this season, the cows found in the drives of bachelors were unusually few. Why this was the case I am unable to state detinitely, l)ut ni}' belief is that the bachelors, this 3'ear, hauled so far apart from the cows that few of the latter were picked up when the drives were started. ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 25 PELAGIC SEALING AND PATROL. The patrol this summer l)y the revenie cutter MdJulloch hiis been as thorough as it was possible to be made with one vessel. During the patroling season the cutter called a number of times at the island and a number of times beside v.as sighted cruising. Captain Kodgers, of the JlcCnUocJi, is entitled to his full measure of connnendation for the vigorous manner in which the patrol was maintained. Only one instance of pelagic sealing came under our notice on St. Paul this summer. On August 13, while the company's vessel was about to leave the village for Northeast Point to ship the skins in salt there, a telephone message was received from the watchmen at North- east Point reporting the presence of a schooner there, about half a mile from shore. Mr. Judge at once went on board the company's vessel, taking with him a revenue flag, which he requested the captain of the Kfuger to hoist and pursue the marauder. The company's agent, Mr. Redpath, however, refused to take this action, on the ground that it would result in a forfeiture of the insurance on the ves- sel. Mr. Judge made the trip to the point on the Knii5 t~- H » t^ -r 1-1 00 eo rH ■<)< 1-1 ^ CO ri t^ lit Oi f-i 00 I^ CO ^ X xtO'Tt^CTtO'^i-i'ro ?l-.0«t~jOOOOMC>Jt- co "^ ^ -r CO '.o 1-1 c-i o> iH • CO ^ n u- ■N -r r^ '^ n t^COCOCOlCii^iOiCfM OOOO «-lOOC^CCOOO X't'Ol^l'-'^pcOiOC^O 00lCt^lN00:O-^r^X C^COI> t^^'^'CO-"'^ ^l^A_lr^r*^,-^n#^_,^l^^ iH Tfl-^C^COC^ r-(rH -M rS,«SS ■^3 1^ 1 >. i-H ■ CC i-lfN uO coco ait- f-ovcr-tr GOccioit>r*oict>i> c fl. a IS n u > o o O > >, X! ti > o £h o5 o o o o o c 32 SI 1^0^ i.S t0^t~CiOtOi-i-«iO tOi-it^OCOCCMMl^ CO^Tl" -^MtOi-iC^ •^Ot^t^tOCOlOCMO :oi-*t*xaiooc^c^r^ CO-T-^ COCOtDi-4C< ^ oo 2 1> "O— 1— . , i-c o c 3^ c = o^'^'^ ai 5e c o ■I' cj o c^ _a; t-. H Cii H J5 Ch :? (S3 !si Z r- K N S5 5 "o 1> Has >«NO>05oait-t- 1^ -^ Tji oicorHirtoio r* OS 1-1 M -^ ir^ c^ X CI 0< 1-1 .-I IM (N CJ o) e^ MOOrH M « M lO rH r-l C^ -g" CNM-* —l-HlO O O ■"Ji ■* i (N-*-* ■ ■*Tj0 I g iH T-i oj oc t~ 00 Tf cn O CO M C^ t~ .-H o o to O (NcocoiOi-ci-iMTj- o)«Tr coca^ ^ 1 r-l r-iiooiooi>ooocoot-t~Mi^.-i^in ;o • 00 t- •»»< 00 O 00 lO 01 lO C5 CO CO .-< ^ o -^ C>l Si CO CO lO T-l ^ O) TJ. C^ICO-* COIN-* ; oo" CO '• IN C-1 • c 3 ; 1-1 C^ o ; O) ^ (MCqiM cool 1-1 1-1 ■* s Ol 1-1 ^ cjj 00 r- 00 •* Oi o CO CO c-i t~ .-1 o o o ■ QQ I^ •* 00 O t^ »0 I-" lO Ol X 00 1-* to O ■* C^ 55 CO CO iC tH i-H O) ■* C^COtT COC^tJ" . IX> oo" ?5 ■* O oi" o of 1 to 2§ in" 1 I '•'Z • : ; C 5)2 S'c 3ts 'c H rE JZ ;•; I J :•: 1 J • t- ; C u 1 S • ?: c ■ :a : ■ a ■ • Ui • OJ ■ • >s: , o O : t =* 2 1 ' Hr fti 3« 5a 30 -IC 5S lO 5? 5? Jo 52 5i 5? 5 ^ t^ M I in -o rH OO) ^ o o > Ofi .So n s •sa «c§ 2€ 36 ALASKAN SEAL B'ISHERIES. Exhibit No. 3. Annual statement of fur seals killed on St. George Island, Alaska, dnrlmj the year ended July SI, 1904. Date. Rookery. Number of seals killed for na- tives' food. Large young seals. Skins ac- cepted by lessees. Number of seals killed by lessees for skins (ac cepted). Total number of seals killed. 1903. Aug. 31 Oct. 19 20 21 22 24 26 29 31 Nov. 2 4 5 8 9 11 11 16 17 22 25 1904. May 31 June 1 7 11 11 16 21 23 28 30 July 2 6 7 9 13 14 16 20 21 23 26 28 30 31 Miscellaneous, left over. Starava Artel North Zapadni watchmen East Zapadni Starava Artel North East Staraya Artel Zapadni watchmen North Zapadni East Staraya Artel Zapadni watchmen do East and North North East Zapadni watchmen Starava Artel do Zapadni watchmen Staraya Artel and East Staraya Artel and North Zapadni North, East, and Staraya Artel. do Zapadni 1 North, East, and Staraya Artel. North, East, and Staraya Artel Zapadni North, East, and Staraya Artel. do Zapadni North, East, and Staraya Artel. do Zapadni North, East, and Starava Artel. do Zapadni North, Ea.st, and Staraya Artel. Zapadni Deduct 2 skins (see note) Total 500 2 500 2 498 22 29 15 116 209 92 144 46 70 66 73 18 129 111 25 99 93 23 82 5 1,498 1 40 68 2 26 6 36 82 61 2 2 &4 22 11 42 2 2 13 4 20 2 26 5 2 22 29 15 116 209 92 144 46 70 66 73 18 129 111 25 99 93 23 82 5 1,998 2 1,498 SUMMARY, Number on hand at end of season 1, 996 Deduct left from fjrevious season 1 Killed during season of 1904 1, 995 Killed for natives' food by Government agents 498 Killed by company 1 , 497 Note. — A discrepancy of two skins was found this spring between the North American Commercial Company's record of skins taken and those recorded by me and duly receipted for. The acting com- pany agent claimed that he had by mistake given duplicate receipts on November 4, 1903, for two skins taken by watchmen at Zapadni. A recount of all the skins in salt was made on May 26, 1904, when only 494 skins were found, as against 496 by this record and the receipts. In view of all the facts I think there was an error, as claimed and admitted by the company, and will deduct two skins accordingly.— Ezra W. Clark, assistant agent. ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 37 Exhibit No. 4. Weights of sealskins taken on St. Paul Island during the sealing season ending August 1, 1904. [Weights in pounds and quarters of pounds.] Date.. Rookery. 4 4i 44 4* 5 5i 64 6i 6 6i 6i 1904. June 10 Tolstoi 1 4 2 36 1 4 2 20 7 2 22 3 2 23 1 45 44 85 10 45 41 89 20 26 26 32 46 54 11 20 17 34 3 38 50 45 2 7 34 13 54 7 '"'26 6 15 do 2 20 Reef 21 20 Road skins 1 3 21 Tolstoi 1 9- 2 33 39 38 8 28 33 66 10 16 32 38 37 48 15 21 20 38 3 30 19 41 ....„ 27 12 59 25 Northeast Point 2 8 9 9 1 11 14 11 5 9 10 19 3 10 4 11 12 32 1 'J 10 19 2 21 49 38 7 58 30 70 16 30 16 34 34 55 11 17 21 21 1 35 26 33 22 4 32 52 48 6 41 30 70 7 30 19 44 28 43 12 18 15 16 1 25 28 29 1 4 39 • 7 44 3 26 4 27 Reef . .. 2 12 14 6 21 7 24 6 10 1 20 9 24 4 6 2 2 40 29 1 1 1 5 5 3 1 5 44 July 1 55 2 Tolstoi 10 4 Reef 4 48 5 48 7 2 7 5 3 1 10 5 4 66 8 Tolstoi 17 9 Reef 2 28 11 24 14 "3" 46 15 Reef 33 16 52 18 Tolstoi 19 Reef 2 1 2 ...... 20 20 36 22 48 23 Tolstoi 6 25 1 2 1 2 7 12 'I 12 16 14 31 26 50 27 64 27 2 28 Tolstoi 1 4 3 13 2 20 8 27 5 17 15 53 5 29 39 30 Reef 1 6 ■■'3' 41 31 48 Total 5 6 32 72 233 286 776 741 9'51_ 764 949 Rookery. 8* ToLstoi do Reef Road skins Tolstoi Northeast Point . . . Polovina Reef Zapadni Northeast Point . . . Tolstoi Reef Zapadni Northeast Point . . . Tolstoi Reef Northeast Point . . . Zapadni Reef Northeast Point . . . Tolstoi Reef Zapadni Northeast Point ... Tolstoi Zapadni Reef and Gorhatch Northeast Point . . . Polovina Tolstoi Zapadni Reef Northeast Point . . . Total 697 512 465 280 318 147 2 2 2 6 3 6 5 7 '"'5' 2 7 5 1 3 6 4 4 1 2 2 1 3 5 1 82 38 ALASKAN SEAL FI8HEEIES. Weights of nealskins taken on St. Paul Island during the sealing season ending August 1, 1904— Contmned. Date. Rookery. 9i 9^ 9* 10 lOJ m m 11 11? Hi 1904. June 10 Tolstoi 2 1 1 2 i 3 3 1 1 1 9 15 do 2 1 1 1 ...... . 20 Reef Tolstoi 1 2 21 1 2 1 1 3 25 Northeast Point 1 1 27 Reef 2 3 1 ...... 1 29 Zapadni 2 1 2 1 Julv 1 Northeast Point 4 1 5 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 7 3 2 Tolstoi 1 4 Reef ...... 1 2 1 1 2 5 Zapadni 1 1 7 Northeast Point 1 8 Tolstoi 9 Reef 1 i 11 Northeast Point 1 14 Zapadni 15 Reef 2 3 16 Northeast Point i 2 2 1 18 Tolstoi 19 Reef i 20 Zapadni 1 2 1 1 1 j 22" Northeast Point 1 7 2 1 23 Tolstoi 26 Zapadni 2 2 1 26 Reef and Gorbatch 1 4 2 1 1 1 2 "'"'i' 1 1 27 Northeast Point 27 Polo vina ] 28 Tolstoi .1 29 Zapadni 1 2 2 3 30 Reef 4 2 1 i 1 Total 53 35 19 25 10 14 4 9 2 Exhibit No. 5. Statistics of killings, St. Paul Island, 1904- Date. Rookery. Ani- mals killed. Dismissed. Branded. Per cent Large. Small. 2 years. 3 years. killed. 1904. June 10 Tolstoi 71 48 247 33 141 38 366 414 -477 89 400 386 621 124 270 281 375 349 588 107 180 258 423 50 297 387 483 17 61 301 245 426 140 14 9 45 20 28 24 67 11 34 34 9 18 8 14 13 7 13 18 10 12 b 29 4 25 42 35 11 16 25 14 22 5 4 4 8 3 53 15 100 110 204 28 147 194 245 70 66 164 154 136 271 18 43 185 442 17 221 392 569 79 15 do Reef Tolstoi Northeast Point 78 20 21 25 92 is' 69' 57 194 3 33 36 61 11 34 39 52 50 88 14 11 23 72 6 48 60 85 41 1 10 3 30 28 90 1 22 11 38 6 8 13 23 15 43 8 1 5 20 il' 20 44 1 4 26 18 20 4 57 57 56 26 27 29 Polovina Reef Zapadni 47 68 66 July 1 Northeast Point 47 2 Tolstoi 67 4 Reef 65 5 Zapadni . . . . 59 7 Northeast Point 64 8 Tolstoi 55 9 Reef 69 11 Northeast Point 55 14 15 16 Zapadni Reef Northeast Point 50 61 58 18 19 Tolstoi Reef and Gorbatch 61 76 20 22 Zapadni Northeast Point 54 42 23 Tolstoi 64 25 Zapadni 49 26 Reef and Gorbatch 42 27 Northeast Point 40 27 Polovina Tolstoi 68 28 29 13 249 133 245 302 5 49 37 66 7 61 46 30 Reef and Gorbatch 64 31 66 Aug. 9 Reef and (iorbatoh 30 Total 8,693 641 4,794 1,320 568 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 39 Exhibit No. 6. Census of breeding bulls and cotvs, St. Paul Island, 1904. Rookery. Zapadni Little Zapadni. Zapadni Reef. . Tolstoi Tolstoi Cliffs... Lagoon Ketovi Amphitheater. Lukanin Little Polovina Harems (bulls). 250 100 46 149 38 24 69 12 51 21 Cows (pups). 9, 957 3,983 1,091 5,934 1,571 1,084 2,147 458 2, 020 941 Rookery. Polovina Cliffs.. Polovina Gorbatch Cliffs . Gorbatch Ardiguen Reef Northeast Point Sea Lion Rock a. Total Harems CoWs (bulls), (pups). 40 72 12 161 15 286 454 67 1-.412 3,691 481 6,014 565 11, 391 18,557 2,7a5 1,857 74,002 a Harems were estimated on basis of average harem. 39.83. Pups actually counted on Sea Lion Rock. Exhibit No. 7. Counts of rookeries, St. Paid Island, season of 1904- ARDIGUEN. Date. 1904, June 6 . . . Junes ... June 13 . . June 15 . . June 18 . . June 19 . . June 23 . . June 29 . . Bulls. "Quit- ters." Cows. Date. 1904 July 3... July 8 . . . July 12.. July 15 . . July 17 . . Julv 23 . . July 25 . . Bulls "Quit- """^- ters." Harems. Cows, 12 200 13 328 13 339 15 14 293 13 220 14 190 AMPHITHEATER. 2904, June 1 ... June 8 . . . June 9... June 10.. June 11.. June 12 . . June 13.. June 15.. June 16.. June 17. . June 18.. June 19 . . June 20 . . June 21 . . June 22 . . June 23 . . June 24 . . June 26.. June 27 . . June 28.. June 29 . . June 30.. 5 5 5 8 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 10 11 2 2 3 1 1 1 i" 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 4 4 6 8 7 8 9 , i 1 1 1 1 2 4 5 14 27 32 51 53 1904 JulV 1 . . . July 2... Julys... July 4 . . . July 5... July 7 . . . July, 8... July 9... July 10.. July 12.. July 13.. July 14.. Julv 17.. July 18 . . July 19.. Jiily 20.. Julv 22 . . July 24.. July 27 . . July 29.. July 31.. 11 9 11 1 10 10 2 10 10 2 10 11 10 11 10 12 11 12 I'l 12 11 12 11 12 12 12 12 12 11 13 11 14 2 12 13 13 13 1 12 14 13 13 13 13 11 10 10 87 103 115 137 155 214 244 266 281 267 303 296 234 221 218 220 112 125 147 105 ,146 GORBATCH. 1904. June 6 104 117 128 11 13 11 ' 1904. June23 July 15 138 160 5 6 53 151 137 June 13 June 19 21 25 , 40 ALASKAN SEAL B1SHER1E8. Counts of rookeries, St. Paul Maud, season of 1904 — Continued. GORBATCH CLIFFS. KETOVI. Date. Bulls. •'Quit- ters." Harems. Cows. Date. ! Bulls. " Quit- ters." Harems. Cows. 1904. June 6 10 11 11 12 11 11 3 1904. Julys 12 July 12 10 July 15 13 July 17 13 Julv 23 13 Julv 25 1 10 1 i' 12 10 12 11 18 11 267 June 13 249 247 168 135 June 19 June 23 June 29 Julv 3 1 2 3 1 2 4 10 10 2 9 59 122 1904 June 7... June 8... June 9 June 19.. . 36 11 39 18 42 15 51 10 1904, June 22.. June 28.. July 9 . . . July 13.. 54 12 58 6 70 6 75 3 21 41 39 152 61 1,087 69 LUKANIN. 1904 June 7 ... June 8 . . . June 9... June 10.. June U . . June 12 . . Ji»ne 13 . . June 15 . . June 16 . . June 17 . . June 18 . . June 19 . . June 20.. June 21 . . June 22 . . June 23 . . June 24 . . June 26 - . June 27 . . June 28 . . June 29 . . June 30 . . 41 42 42 44 43 45 45 46 43 47 5 2 4 3 4 2 4 3 2 4 1 1 50 3 1 1 48 5 4 4 52 8 3 8 49 11 5 16 51 9 8 23 52 7 12 42 51 3 13 51 53 4 19 106 55 3 22 145 53 3 23 178 53 4 28 260 53 7 28 293 1904 Julvl... Julv 2... Julv 3... Jury4... July 5... Julv 7... Julys... Julv 9... July 10.. July 12.. J)ilv 13.. July 14.. Julv 17.. July 18.. July 19.. July 20.. Julv 22.. Jnly 24.. July 27.. July 29.. July 31 . . August 9 410 500 548 558 680 1,030 1,063 1,123 1.075 1,206 1,256 1,248 1,096 1,046 951 790 702 662 645 442 702 LAGOON. 1904 June 7... June 14 . . June 19.. 16 24 26 9 2 2 2 2 1904 Julv 4... July 8 . . . Julv 13.. 27 2 28 2 29 1 263 437 MORJOVl, EAST SIDE NORTHEAST POINT. 1904 June 16 . . June 24 . . JuueSO.. 17 3 17 3 21 3 1904. July 6.... Julv 16 . . 308 VOSTOSHNI, WEST SIDE NORTHEAST POINT. 1904 June 16.. June 24 . . June 30.. 29 36 6 8 i.5 23 42 3 27 190 1904. Julv 6..., July 16... NORTHEAST POINT. 48 8 42 52 48 1904. June 16 . . . 376 45 13 1904. July 17... ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 41 Counts of rookeries, St. Paid Island, season of 1904 — Continued, POLO VINA. Date. Bulla. "Quit- ters." Harems. Cows. Date. Bulls. "Quit- ters." Harems. Cows. 1904. 62 72 5 5 1904. July 1 72 19 39 72 June 24 17 70 July 16 89 ^ POLOVINA CLIFFS. 1904. June 9 June 24 . . . Julyl .... 5 139 1904. July 7... July 16 . . , LITTLE POLOVINA. 1904. June 13... June 24 . . . July 1 . . . . 1904. June 7 June 14... June 19 . . . 1904. '> July 7.... 26 II July 16... 146 :1 il 1904. Julv 4.... Julv 8.... Julv 13 . . . 42 30 43 38 42 3 38 356 REEF. 1904. 179 42 1904. July 15 308 10 286 TOLSTOI. 1904. 120 136 4 1904. June 19 July 13 150 169 6 18 149 33 June 14 1 1 TOLSTOI CLIFFS. * 390 704 1,201 ZAPADNI. 1904. June 14 201 9 2 2 1904. July 14 281 4 250 1 LITTLE ZAPADNI. 1904. June 14 73 10 1 1 1904. July 14 110 100 ZAPADNI REEF. 1904. June 14 July 5 37 50 2 1 38 1 350 1904. July 14 50 4 46 42 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. Exhibit No. 8. Divinon of iiativex' earnings, St. Punf IMand, Ahiaht, seimm of 1904. By 11,132 fur-seal skins, at 50 cents |5, 566. 00 To 21 fir8t-clas8 s^hares, at $174.50 each 3, 664. 50 To 6 second-class shares, at 1139.65 each 837. 90 To 4 third-class shares, at $104.70 each 418. 80 To 5 fourth-class shares, at $69.80 each 349. 00 To 7 special shares 295. 80 5, 566. 00 Firxt-dass shares. — Twenty-one men, at $174.50 each, as follows: Nicoli Bogadanoff, Karp Buterin, Jacob Kochutin, Nicoli Krukoff, Simeon Melovidoff, Simeon Nozekoff, Theodore Sedick, Dorofay Stepetin, John Stepetin, Peter Tetoff, A. Bourdukofsky, George Kotchergin, John Kochutin, Alex. Merculieff, Parfiri Pankoff, Necon Shabo- lin, Elary Stepetin, Neon Tetoff, Rev. John E. Orloff, John Krukoff, George Shiseni- koff. Second-class shares. — Six men, at' $139.65 each, as follows: Peter Bourdukofsky, Nicoli Gromoff, Metrofan Krukoff, John Fratis, jr., Innokenty Sedick, Zahar Tetoff. Third-class shares.— Four men, at $104.70 each, as follows: Michael Kushin, Trefan Kochutin, Stepan Rookavishnikoff, John Merculieff. Fourth-class shares. — Five men, at $69.80 each, as follows: John Fratis, sr., Michael Kozloff, Paul Koshevnikoff, Alex. Galaktioneff, Constantine Buterin. Special-clas.'< shares. — Seven men, as follows: Nicoli Kozloff, $30; Vlass Pankoff, $30; Yvanally Kozeroff, $30; Fedor Kochutin, $30; Alexander Melovidoff, $75.80; Nicoli Krukoff (fii-st chief), $50; Jacob Kochutin (second chief), $50. St. Paul Island, August 10, 1904. I hereby certify that the above division was made by me in the manner detailed above, after conference with the representative of the North American Commercial Company and the native chiefs on this island. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. St. Paul Island, August 10, 1904. 1 hereby certify that the amounts as above stated, representing the division of St. Paul Island for the season of 1904, will be placed to the credit of the respective natives on the books of the North American Commercial Company. J. C. Redpath, Agent North American Commercial Company. \ St. Paul Island, August 10, 1904. We hereby approve the division for St. Paul Island for the season of 1904, as above detailed, for and on behalf of the natives of this island. Nicoli Krukoff, First Chief. Jacob Kochutin, Second Chief. ALASKAN SEAL FISHEEIES. Exhibit No. 9. Cenms of St. Paul Island, June SO, 1904. 43 Name. Bogadanoff, Nicoli Bogadanoff, Uleta Bogadanoff, Agrafina . . . Bourdukofsky, Apollon . Bourdukofsky , Peter Bourdukofsky, Uleta Buterin, Karp Buterin, Parascovia Buterin, Oonstantine Mazeekin, Wassalisa Fratis, John Fratis, Akalina Fratis, John, jr. (by for- mer wife). Fratis, Agrafina Fratis, Simeon Fratis, Ouliana Fratis, Majtha Galaktioneff, Alexander Galaktioneff, Lukeria — Galaktioneff, Anna Galaktioneff, Mary Galaktioneff, Matrona .. Gromoff, Nieoli Gronioft", Ouliana Stepetin, Pavla Relation. Volkoff, Tecon Stepetin, Elary, jr Kochutin. Jacob Kochutin, Alexandra . . . Koehutin, Theodore Kochutin, Larion Mandregan, Innokenty . Mandregan, >.ekifer Koshevnikott, Paul Koshevnikoff, Mary Kochutin, John Kochutin, Claudia Kochutin. Nieanor Kochutin, Erena Vickiloff, Alexander Kochutin, Trefan Kochutin, Parascovia . . , Kochutin, Eupheme Kotchergin, George Kotchergin, Agafia Emanoff, Mary , Kozloft', Michael , Kozloff, Parascovia Kozloff, Nicoli Serebrinikoff, Ripsimia KrukofY,John Dyakanoff, Andrew KrukofF, Nicoli Krukoff, Catherine . ... Krukofl.Metrofan . Krukoff, Eustinia Emanoff, Alexai Kushin, Michael Kushin, Mary Kushin, Nestor Hanson, John Hopoff, Nekita Melovidoff, Alexander. Melovidoff, Salome Melovidoff, Antone Melovidoff, Alexandra. Melovidoff", Altai Melovidoff, Simeon Melovidoff, Alexandra. Melovidoff, Margaret . . Melovidoff, Christopher Husband . Wife Niece Father.... Son Daughter. Husband . Wife Son Orphan... Husband . Wife Son Age (years). 32 Daughter Son j 10 Daughter I... do l... Husband 32 Wife |... Stepdaughter. |... Daughter |... do Husband Wife Adop'ddaugh ter. Adopted son.. ....do Husband Wife Son do Orphan do '. Hu.sband Wife Husband Wife Son Daughter Stepson Husband Wife , Son Husband Wife Cousin Son Mother Brother Cousin Widower Stepson Husband Wife Son Daughter Nephew Son Mother Nephew do Orphan Husband Wife Son Daughter Son Husband Wife Daughter Son 36 33 18 10 9 '36'! 42 Name. Melovidoff, Alexander.. Melovidoff, Simeon, jr .. Melovidoff', Alexandra. . Merculieff, Alexander .. Mereulieft', Agafia Merculieff, Paul Merculieff'. Auxenia Merculieff, Terenty Merculieff', Paul Nozekort', Simeon Nozekoft', Avdotia Nozekoff, Mary Kozeroff, Ivanally Kozeroff , Sandulia Kozeroff, Alexandra Pankoff", Parfiri Pankoff, Vlass Pankoff, Martha Ri Kikavishnikoff, Stepan Rookavishnikoff, Eliza- beth. Sedick, Theodore Sedick, Martha Sedick, Innokenty Sedick, Mary Sedick, Matrona Sedick, John Shabolin, Necon Shabolin , Foecla Shabolin, Agrafina Shabolin, Varvara Shabolin, Matrona Shabolin, Daniel Shane, Elifery Stepetin, Dorofay Stepetin, Luboff Stepetin, Chionia Stepetin, Au.xenia Stepetin, Catherine Stepetin, Elary Stepetin, Anna Stepetin, Agnes Stepetin, Nicoli Stepetin, John Stepetin, Vera Stepetin, Vassili Stepetin, Vassili Shisenikoff, George Shisenikoff, Ouliana Shisenikoff", Marv Tetoff,Neon Tetoff, Agrafina Tetoff, Simeon Tetoff, Mary, , Tetoff, Demetri Tetoff, Irena Tetoff, Agrafina Tetoff, John , Tetoff, Peter , Tetoff, Mary , Kochutin, Varvara Relation. Age (years). 28 Son ....do... Niece Husband Wife Son Daughter .Son j 1 Brother ! 14 Husband 27 Wife Daughter \ Half-brother .1 16 Half-sister ! do Father I 41 Son 16 Daughter Hu.sband 23 Wife '... Nedarazo, Marv Tetoff, Zahar Tetoff, Daria Tetoff, Peter Orloff, Rev. J. E Orloff, Nicoli Orloff, Alexandra Nedarazoff, Catherine Merculieff, John Merculieff, Avdotia Husband 56 Wife L... Son j 19 Daughter do L... Son 7 Husband 37 Wife Daughter. do... .....do... Son Stepson . . Husband , Wife Daughter do do I... Husband 40 Wife Daughter Son 1 Husband 24 Wife Son Nephew Husband Wife Daughter Husband Wife Son Daughter Son Daughter do Son Husband Wife Adopted daughter. Orphan Husband Wife Son Father Son Daughter Widow Husband Wife 34 12 39 25 18 31 44 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. Census of St. Paul Island, June 30, 1904 — Continued. WIDOWS AND ORPHANS. Age (years). Age. (years) Name. Relation. "3 s Name. Relation. -3 ,2 Kochutin, Zenobia Kochutin, Innokenty... Kochutin, Mark Krukoff, Anna Krukoff, Mary Maiidregan, Zova Krukoff, Feotesta Krukoff, Condrat Emanoff, Mary EmanotT, Eneka Emanoff, Peter Peeshnikoff, Wassalisa.. Spinster 36 "38' 7 17 38 ""26' '"44" Seduli, Elizabeth 63 Son 1 9 Orphan Granddaugh- ter. 14 Nephew Widow Stepetin, Marena Artomonoff, Alexandra. Vickiloff Alexandra 6 Daughter j 50 Orphan i 4 H r> n t rl 9 Widow - - - - rlnnirhtor Son 14 Balakshin, Matrona Rookavishnikoft', Para.s- covia. Shaposhnikoff, Paras- covia. 54 Widow 15 Son 3 Spinster do Widow 37 RESIDING ELSEWHERE. Krukoff, Lukeria .. Mandregan, Mary . Melovidoff, Mareia Sedick, Avdotia ... Zaharoff, Fedosia . . Popoff, Alexandra . Tetoff, Sophia RECAPITULATION. Number of males 80 Number of females 81 Total number of residents 161 Deaths during fiscal year 4 Departures ' 2 Births during fiscal year 7 Arrivals .' 1 E.XHIBIT No. 10. Statement of expenditures of North American Commercial Company, for natives, St. Paul Island. North American Commercial Company, St. Paul Island, August 12, 1904. Dear Sir: In compliance with your verbal request of August 10, 1904, we submit you the accompanying statement of amounts expended for maintenance of widows and orphans for year ending May 31, 1904, number of widows and orphans so supported, amounts expended for physician, amounts expended for medical supplies, number of native dwellings, amount expended for repairs of same, amounts expended for maintenance of school, and amount expended for maintenance of place of religious worship. The church building on this island has always been the property of the Russian Church, and that body has always maintained their building. We have made the statement as complete as the time and data at hand will permit, but we believe the figures to be incomplete, and for further information refer you to the North American Commercial Company at San Francisco. The figures submitted are given the Department in confidence. Very respectfully, J. C. Redpath, Age^it. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Islands, St. Paul Island, Alaska. ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 45 Statement to Mr. W. I. Lembkey of expenditures by North American Commercial Com- pany on St. Paul Island for the following accounts, for the year ending May 31,1904- Widows and orphans: Amountexpended for support of 8 widows, 2 spinsters, and 20 orphans. $1, 927. 35 40 pounds mixed candy, 1 pound each to each of the 20 orphans on name days and birthdays, at 20 cents 8. 00 40 pounds mixed nuts, 1 pound each to each of the 20 orphans twice a year, i. e., on name days and birthdays, at 25 cents 10. 00 Physicians and medical supplies: Salary of physician 1, 200. 00 Board and lodging for phj'sician, 52 weeks, at |13 a week 676. 00 Medical supplies consumed (at San Francisco cost) 430. 94 SVoVV tons coal consumed by dispensary, at |20 a ton 66. 92 Native dwellings: Materials expended for repairs of native dwellings (at San Francisco cost), exclusive of cost of labor and materials derived from demolish- ing a building 49. 42 School supplies consumed (San Francisco cost) 19. 34 32 2 40 tons coal consumed by school, at %20 a ton 75. 85 Salary and mess allowance to school teacher. (The regular teacher was in San Francisco from Aug. 17, 1903, to June 6, 1904, on vaca- tion) 950. 00 Salary substitute school teacher for 9 months and 13 days 471. 66 Board and lodging substitute teacher from Aug. 8, 1903, to May 31, 1904, 51 (6-ic) weeks, at $13 per week 663.00 Eecapitulation: Expended for widows and orphans 1, 943. 35 Expended for physician and medical supplies 2, 373. 86 Expended for repairs, native dwellings 49. 42 Expended for school supplies and teachers 2, 179. 85 Total 6, 546. 48 Exhibit No. 11. Report of Assistant Agent Chichester, St. Paul. St. Paul Island, Alaska, June 5, 1904. Sir: I have the honor to submit my report of the condition of affairs on St. Paul Island during the period of my administration, which extended from August 17,, 1903, to June 5, 1904. arrival and departure of vessels. After the departure of the company's steamer on August 17 a number of vessels called at the island. On August 20 H. M. S. Shearunler arrived, and her commander, Captain Umfre- ville, in behalf of himself and officers, asked permission to visit a rookery. They were shown a portion of Garbotch. On August 25 U. S. S. Thetis landed Senator Dietrich, of Nebraska, and Mr. Ham- ilton, assistant commissioner of education for Alaska. They remained a day and a night, and were shown as much of the rookeries and island as their brief stay would permit. By the U. S. S. Bear on her August visit there returned here, with your permission, for permanent residence Mrs. Alexander Artomonof, who has been absent for several years. As she is a widow I at once informed the company's agent that she would have to be supported by the company. He agreed to do so, but filed the following protest with the request that the matter be carried to the Department for settlement. This letter I sent you per last mail, November 1, 1903. 46 ALASKAN^ SEAL FISHERIES. St. Paul Island, August 29, 1903. Dear Sir: As regards- matter of the arbitrary return and placing the burden of sup- port upon the company of Mrs. Alexander Artomonof (widow), I hereby enter pro- test for following reasons: First. Said widow (not native of this island), against the wishes of this company, left their support, took all her belongings with her with the avowed purpose of spend- ing her remaining years elsewhere. ( Approved at your office. ) After being reported destitute she is returned to us by you. Second. It seems to me under this ruling all natives (former residents) as they become infirm and destitute in other parts of the world may return to the support of the company at will, thereby imposing an unexpected and unjust burden. Third. In my reading of the terms of our lease I am unable to determine on what grounds this action has been taken and desire to be enlightened. We have no desire to evade any of our obligations to the Government, or the people, as therein applied. Yours, faithfully. North American Commercial Co., W. C. Allis, Agent. Mr. H. D. Chichester, Treasury Agent. In addition to a considerable amount of household stuff, Mrs. Artomonof brought back with her |220 in cash. Special thanks are due Captain Wild, commanding U. S. S. Bear, for many cour- tesies received. Date of arrival. Name of vessel. Date of depar- ture. Date of arrival. Name of vessel. Date of depar- ture. 1903. Aug. 20 Aug. 25 Aug. 26 H M S Shearwater' . . 1903. Aug. 21 Aug. 26 Aug. 27 1903. Sept. 21 Oct. 21 Nov. 1 U. S. S. Bear 1903. Sept. 22 Oct. 23 U S.S.Thetis U. S. S. Manning U. S. S. Bear U. S. S. Bear Nov. 1 BRANDING PUPS. Having previously arranged everything for branding, on October 12 I made a drive of pups from the reef and secured about 700. Work at once began and was pushed forward as rapidly as possible, but when 274 pups had been branded a heavy storm of wet snow and rain came on, soaking the remaining pups and rendering them unfit for branding. They were reluctantly turned into the sea. From this time on the weather was so wet and unfavorable for branding and the reaching of the more distant rookeries by boat that further operations were abandoned for the season. COUNT OF DEAD PUPS. Late in the fall the rookeries were thoroughly gone over for dead pups, and the following is the result: 1903. Oct. 29 29 29 29 29 .30 30 30 Rookery. Little Zapadnie Zapadui Reef... Zapadni Tolstoi Cliffs..., Tolstoi Ketovi Amphitheatre.. Lukannon Number of dead. 1 22 152 121 234 17 Date. 1903. Nov. 3 3 3 Rookery. Garbotch Ardiguen Reef Polivina Little Polivina Total . . . . Number of dead. 218 13 236 .54 18 1,160 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 47 KILLING PUPS BV THE NATIVES. While overhauling Ketovi rooker}^ for dead pups I ran across unmistakable signs that some one had been killing pups on that rookery. Returning to the village I called in the chief, told him whatl had seen, and turned over to him two pups' heads I found hidden in a crevice of the rock. The skulls were broken and the skin neatly trimmed in a circle behind the ears. There followed a meeting of the people and later on a committee waited on me, and I was informed that Alexander (yalaktenof and INIike Kushin, on the night of October 27 (just one day after a food kill of 150 seals had been made), visited the 'rookery and killed the pups. Galaktenof and Kushin were both called in and admitted their guilt. They would give no reasons except that they wanted meat. Further questioning soon developed that pup killing has been a common practice with all the natives, and has gone on for years. With one or two exceptions, every native man on the island admitted of having killed from one to two pups each year. None over two. Their testimony was extremely conflicting, and being satisfied that the whole truth was not being told, and wishing to obtain accurate information of the amount of damage done, I endeavored to put them on oath. They refused to make any sworn statement whatever, were insolent and rebellious. Having no method at my command by which I could punish them all, except stopping their sugar, I adopted this weak measure. A few days later four men came and asked to be sworn, and a month later the rest fell into line and were put on oath, but as for determining the actual number of pups killed the infor- mation thus obtained was of no more value than that already secured. The following is the number of pups killed by each individual, as stated under oath: Name. Pups killed, 1903. Pups killed, 1902. Name. Pups killed, 1903. Pups killed, 1902. Apollon Bourdukofskv 2 2 2 2 •> 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 3 2 1 1 2 John Kochooten 2 3 1 2 2 1 Peter Bourdukofskv John M. Krukof 2 John Fralis, jr Mike Kozlof Paul Koshevuikof Trefan Kockooten Neon Tetof Stepan Rookavishnikof Alexander Galaktenof Zachar Tetof Simeon Nozekof 1 Inokentv Sediek 1 Nekon Shabolin 2 Dorafav Stepetin] 2 Poriliri Pankof 1 Nikolai Krukof Ilary Stepetin 1 1 Jake Kochooten 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 Peter Tetof ... 1 n Alexander Merculif (second John Stepetin 2 chief) George Shaisnikof 3 George Kochergin 2 Alexander Melevedof Fedor Sediek Total Karp Buterin 43 36 Nikolai Bogadanof The school opened promptly on September 1, 1903, and was maintained until May 1, 1904. Twenty-three boys and 17 girls were in attendance. Mr. Lambert, who conducted the school this year, was painstaking and earnest in his work, and the scholars made good progress under his guidance. I inclose herewith Mr. Lambert's report. Pursuant to your verbal instructions, foxing was allowed for the period of one week and resulted in an entire failure. Fifteen blue and 5 white skins were obtained. The trapping season opened on November 23 with every condition most favorable for a successful catch. That it was a failure is entirely diie to the fact that the blue fox on this island is practically exterminated. What the causes are that led to this extermination I am unable to say. I have tried in every way to obtain information that would throw some light on the subject but to no purpose. After the close of the trapping season up to the present time not a week has gone by without natives visiting nearly all parts of the Island, and during this time but 2 foxes have been seen. They wei-e at Northeast Point. Some tracks have been observed on the Reef and Tolstoi as well as at Zapadni. 48 ALASKAN SEAL li'ISHEKIES. Fox Division, St. Paul Inland, season 1903. Name. Locality. White. Blue. Amount. A. Bourdukol'sky 1 i" 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 2" 2' 1 81.00 5 00 Constaiitiiie Buterin Karp Buterin do .5 00 John Fratis. jr Village 5 00 John M. Krnkof do 5 00 Metrofan Knikof do 10 00 Nikolai Krnkof do 1 11 00 Trefan Kochooten do :;;:::::::::::: 5 00 Mike Knshin North Shore 5 00 Mike Kozh)f 1 1 i' 1 00 Jake Kochooten West Point 1 00 Alex. Merculif Halfway Point 10 00 Sim. Nozekof 1 00 Ilarv Stepetin Wreek (north shore) 10 00 Neon Tetof .5 00 Total 6 15 80 00 ■" IMPROVEMEXTS. In accordance with your instructions, I moved the Government boathouse. As you left the selection of a new site to me, I placed it alongside of the company's Point warehouse on the south side. This is the best possible place that could be found for it, as it is amply protected from the sea by the warehouse and wharf. I have also built wooden launching ways from the house to deep water, by means of which the boat can be launched at any tide and with little or no difficulty. Government house has been thoroughly renovated and painted inside and out. The boathouse and boat No. 2 have also received a coat of paint. A new calador was also constructed at the rear of the coal house. Early last fall the natives built a substantial addition to their club and library to accommodate a billiard table. Both the materials for the room and the table are a gift from Mr. Taylor of the North American Commercial Company. GENERAL HEALTH. The general health of the natives has been remarkably good. No epidemics have occurred and there has been but four deaths during the entire year. Three of these were old chronic cases. Births have outnumbered the deaths by 3, 7 children having been born, 3 males and 4 females. I inclose herewith report of the resident physician. Seals were scarce during the fall and early winter. Nine drives for food were made from the various rookeries and 1,853 seals killed. Quite a number of carcasses were frozen and put away at Northeast Point, and during the winter this supply of meat was steadily drawn upon. After each killing large numbers of gulls visited the ground and anything that was left by the natives in the shape of meat was speedily eaten. In fact Twas astonished at the short time required for these voracious birds to completely clean up a killing field. A small bunch of bachelors hung about the island all winter despite the fact that the ice shut us in completely for a week. By the death of Keonia Bourdukofsky and Zachar Sedick, two estates are to be divided. That of Zachar Sedick, amounting to $109 and interest for one year, at 4 per cent, I have divided equally between his two sisters, Elizabeth Rookavishnikof and Avdotia Sedick. Elizabeth having a bank account, her portion has been added to it, while Avdotia's share has been placed to her credit on the company's books as an open account, they having refused to receive any more interest accounts. ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 49 (iUASS. The usual amount of quays has been brewed this winter — that is to say, nine-tenths ■of the supar, three-foiirths of the jelly, and one-third to one-half of the flour issued to the natives has gone into the manufacture of intoxicating liquor. The result, as usual, has been deplorable. Women have been cruelly beaten, children inhumanly treated, interior of houses wrecked and endangered by fire from overturning lamps and stoves, and the life of the Government officer jeopardized. In fact, it was by the merest chance that I was not deliberately shot down by a drunken native as I entered his house to take him into custody for a murderous assault upon a neighbor. The following is a detailed account of the affair. I was called out at 1 o'clock in the morning of February 22 by Mrs. Jake Kochoo- ten. She was decidedly drunk and incoherent, but I managed to gather from her wild talk that her husband had either been killed or was being killed by Alexander Melevedof. Dressing hastily I ran to the house and found Jake alone. He had a nasty cut over his eye, was covered with blood and bruises, and presented a sorry- looking spectacle. The house was in the greatest disorder, chairs and tables over- turned and broken, lamp smashed, and carpet torn. Jake was exceedingly drunk, and all I could learn from him was that Alex. Melevedof had attempted to kill him with a knife. I immediately went in search of Melevedof, and with the aid of the second chief, who was also drunk, but could walk, I found him at the house of Vasalisa Peeshnikoff. I attempted to handcuff him, but he resisted so stoutly that in self-defense I was forced to use vigorous measures. During the struggle one of the handcuffs became locked, and in my hurry t had left the ke}" at hoine. I was therefore able to put the handcuff on one arm only. We then set out with him for the building used as a jail. Stopping a moment at the company's house for the key, I left the prisoner in charge of the second chief. He jiromptly hit the second chief over the head with the handcuff, broke away, and went home, where he loaded up his double-barreled shotgun, and, placing himself in the dark back room, where I could not see him as I came through the door, swore he would kill me the moment I entered the house. Melevedof's wife, who was also drunk, endeavored to take away the gun, but couldn't. Mary Koshenikof then came in, and between them the two women managed to get the gun away, and set it in the calador just as the second chief and myself came in. I again took Melevedof in charge, handcuffed his loose arm, and locked him up in the temporary jail. He was no sooner left alone than he kicked the sash out of the window and made his escape. I then handcuffed him with his hands behind him, secured his legs, and locked him up, and had no further trouble. In the morning I sentenced him to twenty-one daj^s on bread and water for drunkenness and lighting. His sugar had been previously stopped for the same cause. It was not until some days later that I learned of the attempt upon my life. The matter had been carefully hidden from me by the chiefs. I held an investigation and took the testimony of Melevedof's wife, son, and Mary Koshevnikof. All three tell substantially the same story. When drunk this man is perfectly lawless and filled with an insane desire to kill. He is a constant source of danger to the Government officer and the people, and I respectfully request that he be removed from the island permanently. This island stands in great need of a substantial jail. The building kindly loaned by the company for the purpose is entirely inadequate. Respectfully, H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent, in cJiarge St. Paul Island. Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, Special Agent, Department of C'ommerce and Labor, in charge of Seal hlands. Report of resident physician, St. Paul, 1904. North American Commercial Company, St. Paid Island, Alaska, June 1, 1904. Sir: In compliance with your request I respectfully submit the following medical report for St. Paul Island for the vear beginning June 1, 1908, and ending May 31, 1904: The general health has been very good, especially when you consider the care, or rather the lack of care, the natives take of themselves, as they will stand bareheaded in a snow storm to cool immediately after taking a steam batli. S. Doc. 98—05 4 50 ALASKAN -SEAL FISHERIES. During February and .Mareli of 1904 there was a slight epidemic; of bronchitis, and one new case of pulmonary tuberculosis developed, aside from whicli there lias been no contagious diseases on the island for the past year. Of all cases treated 75 per cent were gastro-intestinal, due to the irregular habits of the natives, while the majority of the remaining 25 per cent were of bronchial origin. The record of births and deaths for the year is, respectively, as follows: Births. — Salome Melovidov, son, Alfa, June 13, 190.'}; Daria Tettoff, daughter, Sophia, September 27, 1908; Maria Emanoff, son, Peter, October 11, 1903; Lukeria Galactionoff, daughter, Martha, October 17, 1903; LuI)off Stepetin, daughter, Cath- erine, December 6, 1903; Parascovia Kotchooten, son, iMipheme, January 7, 1904; Oulianna Shisenikoff, daughter, Mary, Februarv 25, 1904; Agrifina Tetoff, son, John, May 21, 1904. Total 8; 4 males, 4 females. Dealing. — Rufus Bonrdakofsky, 1 year, acute gastroenteritis, June 8, 1903; Zahar Sedick, 18 years, pulmonary tuberculosis, March 11, 1904; Kionia Bonrdakofsky, 43^ years, uremia with carcinomatous degeneration of large uterine fibroid and hemor- rhage, ]May 12, 1904; Sophia Tetoff, 8 months, enterocolitis. May 29, 1904; Ellen Krukoff, 28 years, pulmonary tuberculosis. May 31, 1904. Total 5; 2 males, 3 females. Respectfully, Mark A. Williamson, M. D. Mr. II. D. Chichester, Agent, Department of ('oiiniierce mid Lalxjr. I)i charge, St. Paul hlarid. School Report. St. Paul Island, Alaska, April £9, J904. Dear Sir: Following is the report of St. Paul Island School for the eight months commencing September 1, 1903, and ending April 29, 1904, inclusive: Class. 1 Fourth . 1 2 ....do... 2 3 ....do... 3 4 Third... 1 5 ....do... 2 R ....do... 3 7 Second . 1 8 ....do... 2 9 ....do... 3 10 ....do... 4 11 ....do... 5 ^?. ....do... 6 13 ....do... 7 14 ....do... 8 15 ....do... 9 16 First. . . . 1 17 ....do... 2 18 ....do... 3 19 ....do... 4 20 ....do... 5 21 First primer. 1 22 do ... 2 23 ....do... 3 24 ....do... 4 25 ....do... 5 26 ....do... 6 27 Second primer. 1 28 . ..do... 2 29 ....do... 3 30 ....do... 4 Pupils' names. Nicoli Kozlnff Theodore Kochooten Nekita HopotT Condiat Krukoff Eliferv Slume Vlassi'aiikolT Agraphona Fratis Matrona Sedick Pa via Stepetin Parascovia Rookovishnikoff Saiidulia Kozeroff Usteiiia Krukoff Antone .Melevidov Paul Mureulieff No. 1 Simeon Fratis Alexandra Kozeroff Repseniia Seerebrinikoft' John Meezekin Larion Koi'hooten Nestor Kusliin .\ndrew Diakanoft' Mark Kochooten Neeoli (.)rloff Nekifor Mandregan Paul Mureulieff No. 2 Alexandra N'ekoloff Anxenia Mureulieff Agnia Stepetin Chionia Stepetin Mary Emanoff 155 155 153 152 152 148 151 156 152 151 77 93 156 153 155 137 146 153 156 154 152 65 146 137 145 76 152 156 149 139 o -«-» a o o o3 (3 . OS "O . Sm 13 S-s eS U, ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 51 V. y ?; o 0) -^ a. 3 ft o ^ ^ a 'A 31 Second primer. Wl ....do... ;w ....do... 84 ....do... 35 ....do... 36 ....do... 37 ....do... 38 Alpha- bet. 39 ....do... •10 ....do... Pupils' nam I 5 I Marv Nedarezoff. Mary Tetoff Oulianna Fratis Vassa Meezekin John Hanson Simeon Tetoff Vassely Stepetin Euphnally Kozeroff . Innokenty Mandregan Techan Volkoff Total 155 153 163 142 154 166 156 152 148 5, 740 s o o o a) o 3"E Q Q 37 Character of pupils' recitations: Marked good, 3; medium, 2: poor, 1; very poor, 0. GENERAL SUMMARY. Number of pupils enrolled (males 23, females 17) : 40 -Average dally attendance -. 36{§l .■Vverage daily absences 3^% Average attendance 92 Number of cases of tardiness 91 Average age of pupils Hi Number of weeks of school 31 J Number of days of school 156 The following is the statement of time of tuition and study throughout the eight school months: 9 o'clock a. m., calling the roll, five minutes; time for study, twenty- iive minutes; arithmetic, twenty-five minutes; spelling, fifteen minutes; recess, fifteen minutes ; fourth reader, twenty-five minutes ; third reader, twenty-five minutes; second reader, twenty-five minutes; first reader, twenty minutes. 1 o'clock p. m., primer class, first, twenty-five minutes; primer class, second, twenty-five minutes; alphabet, twenty minutes; calisthenics, ten minutes; slate work, forty minutes. Monday and Wednesday spelling, forty minutes; Tuesday and Thursday writing, forty minutes; Friday, reviews. Navies of books used. — Baldwin's Reader, John H. Walsh and Robinson Arithmetics, Sheldon's Speller, California Vertical Copy Books. Respectfully, W. E. Lambert, Teacher. W. C. Aelis, Agent North American Commercial Ageni. Exhibit No. 12. Certificate shipment sealskins, St. George, 1904. Division Special Agents"! Island of St. GIeorge, Form 17. j Bering Sea, Alaska, August 8, 1904. This is to certify that 1,996 fur-sealskins have this day been shipped on board the North American Commercial Company's steamer Kruger, consigned to the North American Commercial Company, San Francisco, Cal. Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent, St. George. K. A. Ahlin, Master W. H. Kruger. 52 ALASKAN SKAL KISHKRIKS. ExiiiHiT No. i;!. Aijfnt C/arL's irport du ijair^s Imsiurn.t, St. (icoryr. Okfick ok Si'kciai, A(;knt, Dki'aktment of Co.m.me]«k and Lamoh, St. George Jit for seal- skins shipped (in duplicate). In transmitting these reports 1 beg to say thattlie data embraced in them embodies about all the facts which I would end^ody in an extended report were I to make one. When I saw you in June I handed you some memoranda regarding tlie foxing of last winter, and to that I may add here that we were happily disappointed in getting a greater number of foxes than we expected to obtain, and especially greater than the indications early in the foxing season led us to expect. The foxes appeared in the autumn to be in an especially healthy and good condition, and that has characterized the condition of the fox herd for the whole year. Very few dead foxes have been observed, although especial attention has been given diiring the whole year to gath- ering information of casualties to these animals. My own observations and those of the natives, so far as I can ascertain, have been that the young foxes of this year are healthy, and that the litters are larger than were those of the year last passed. Yet in this connection it is i>roper to add that the number of foxes breeding near the village is fewer than last year. This is doubt- less owing to the fact that our first catch and killing of last year was of village foxes, so to speak, and those burrowing near the village. Also, the access to the burrows which they formerly used under the salt house (and other buildings grouped with it) was cut off and the foxes occupying there were killed. Tlie great majority of the foxes branded last winter, I believe, have their habitat and breeding grounds at remote places on the island. The young foxes — 10 pairs in number — which were desired for transfer to Kadiak or the islands near there were gotten withovit difficulty. Of the natives, 19 were engaged in catching them under the direction of the chief and second chief. The company agent paid these natives $20 in cash for the 20 foxes taken. The sealing season was concluded without notable incident after the completion of the branding of this island's quota of 200 bachelor 3-year-olds and 200 bachelor 2-year-olds. Every effort was made to adhere in our taking of skins to the limit of 52 pounds for skins. Naturally the company agent was desirous of getting the fid I quota allowed the company for the year, but I did not observe on his part any dis- position to do so in disregard of the limit as to size and weight. All tried to keep the selection of the seals knocked down to the limit of 5i jiounds; but it was not until near the close of the sealing season that I was able to so manage the selection as to avoid killing any under the size limited. Evidently the company would not have gotten its allowance of 2,000 skins on this island had the limit been strictly adhered to. This fact is significant in considering the steady diminution of the seal herd and in connection with the fact that this year's quota was less than two-thirds of the number taken here last year. It is fair to remember, however, that food skins were taken from July 31 to August 10, whereas no seals were killed this vear after July 31. The counts of pups and harems, tabulated statements of which are forwarded, fur- nish mournful evidence of the diminution of the breeding herd, irrespective of the falling off in young bachelors or killables. The great scarcity of breeding bulls on this island and the stead}- falling off in their number is particularly noteworthy. The action of the Department in provid- ing, through the branding of young male seals, for new blood to draw upon to ALASKAN SEAL FI8HEK1ES. 53 replenigh the stock of breeding bulls is timely. Yet if the pelagic sealers are per- mitted to continue tlieir depredations, this measure will fail utterly to accomplish the purpose and will servjs only to enrich the spoilers of our industry. The rookeries on this island were driven twice a week during the past season, with the exception of Zapadni. It is a question if this is not too often, especially with the fast driving which the natives are likely to make in rainy weather or when the seals from any cause are lively. On our last drive, which was made in a rainstorm, sev- eral of the seals were observed with abraided flippers and testes. This condition was observed by both Mr. Chechester and myself, and he ascribed it at the time to frequent driving. I mention it here to suggest inquiry and the remedy. I will add that the condition named was not noticed until our very last sealing. I must beg you to excuse these hastily prepared remarks. I would cheerfully have made an. extended report had I thought it would aid you any in yours. Very respectfully, yours, etc., P"zR.4 W. Clark, Attsistant Ar/ent. AV. I. Lemkbv, Esq., Agent Seal Fisheries. Exhibit No. 14. Agent Clark's report on brnnding bachelors, St. George Island. Office of Special Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor, St. George Island, Alaska, August 8, 1904- Dear Sir: The branding of seals under Department's letter of instructions requir- ing the branding on this island of 200 3-year-old and 200 2-year-old seals, to be selected from the early drives of the season, was begun on June 7, when a drive of 17 seals was obtained, of which 8 3-year-olds and 1 2- year-old were branded, the others in the drive being too large. Hot irons were used for burning off the hair and into the fur on the head; the irons were used by myself. From this date the branding was continued by selections made from the drives. On June 21 rain was falling, rendering the use of hot irons difficult and slow work. Some sheep shears in possession of the company were now tried for clipping the hair and fur, and it was found that an effective mark could be made with the shears, even more conspicuous than that made with the hot irons, also that the wet weather did not interfere with the use of the shears. The subsequent branding was therefore done with shears, this method being deemed a substantial compliance with your directions on this subject. The entire quota of this island was obtained by July 2. Appended is a memorandum showing the number branded by dates: Date. June 7 . .June 11, June 16 June 21 June 23 Three- Two- year-olds. year-olds. 8 1 4 13 45 21 25 13 122 41 1 Date. June 28. July 2 . . Total Tbree- year-olds. year-olds. 204 Two- 200 The marks remained conspicuous during all the season's drives. Quite a number of seals with the St. Paul brand ( + ) appeared in our drives. Respectfully submitted. Your obedient servant, Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent In Charge. W. 1. Lemukev, .\gent Seal Fislieriex. 54 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. Exhibit No. L5. .[(ji'iil < 'hirL'x report ov co)iipany',s expendltiireif, St. (Iivnjr. Ofkk'E ok Special Agent, Department of Commerce and Lahok, St. (reort/e Mand, August 8, 1904. Deak Sik: LVlVrriii^ to the provision in Department's letter of instructions dated May 1, 1904, in which it is required to ascertain from the North American (commer- cial Company it^ expenditures for maintaining schools for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1904, I beg to state that the agent of the company on the island of St. (leorge has reported, in response to my inquiry on the subject, as follows, to wit: Expense of coal for heating school building $80. 00 Repairs of building, labor, lumber, etc 100. 50 Books, etc 15. 68 Salary of teacher 780. 00 Board, etc .364. 00 Total 1, 340. 13 The agent states further that "all the above statements are incomplete, as the office has charges that do not appear on our books," meaning the office in San Francisco. I have nothing to add to the statement save that the teacher, Mr. C. R. Edson, who is also the company's bookkeeper, appears to me to be a competent and efficient man. Referring to that portion of Department's letter of instructions of May 1, 1904, which requires a statement from the North American Commercial Company show- ing the expenditures made by said company during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1904, in providing medical attendance for the residents on the seal islands, I beg to present below the statement furnished by the company agent for this island, in reply to my request to him in the matter, viz: Dispensary — Doctor's salar\ $1, 200. 00 Board, etc., of doctor 364. 00 Drugs expended 203. 58 Total 1, 767. 58 "All the above statements are incomplete, as the office has charges that do not appear on our books." The company's statement is all the information in my possession on the subject. In compliance with that part of the letter of instructions of the Department dated May 1, 1904, which directs that a statement of the North American Commercial Company V>e furnished in which shall be shown the expenditures of said company in furnishing and keeping in proper repair the dwellings occupied by the natives on the seal islands, and a like statement of expenditures incurred by said company in main- taining a house of religious worship for the natives, I have respectfully to report that in response to my request made to the company agent on St. George Island with respect to these two items, he has informed me that the expenditures for repairs to native dwelling houses have been about $5 for the year, which is consideralily less in amount than the average annual cost of such repairs. He stated further that the company has done nothing toward maintaining a house of religious worship for the natives. The native church has been jminted and kept in repair by the church authorities and the natives. Referring to the requirement of Department's letter of instructions of May 1, 1P04, that a statement be obtained from the North American Commercial Company show- ing the number of widows, orphans, and infirm natives cared for under the terms of its lease, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1904, and the expenditures in making such provision, I present below the statement furnished upon my request by the com- pany agent here: Widows and orphans: NumV)er of persons, 18 for 2^ montlis. Number of persons, 12 for 92 months. Average a little over 13 individuals, $946.98. ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. t>l» "All the above statements are incomplete, as the offire has charges that do not appear on our books." 1 respectfully subnjit the above for the information of the Department. Yours, respectfully, Ezra W. Clark, Asuixinnt Agent in Charge. W. I. I^EMBKEY, Esq., Agent for Seal Fii<]ierien, St. Paul Mandx. Exhibit No. 16. Weights of sealskins, St. George Island. 1904. Weights. Num- ber. Weights. Num- ber. 155 80 75 44 58 24 18 14 22 6 11 Weights. Num- ber. 4i pounds 5 9J pounds 6 10 pounds 2 4| pounds . . 5 pounds .">•} pounds 55 pounds 12 , 18 42 135 136 181 151 160 133 7^ pounds 1 lOi pounds 4 8 pounds %\ pounds 8^ pounds 1 2 114 pounds 1 6 pounds 6^ pounds 6i pounds f)i pounds 1 9 pounds 9i pounds 9i pounds Total 1,502 E.XHIBIT No. 17. Daihi counts of rookeries St. George Island, season 1904- NORTH ROOKERY. Date of count. Harems. Cows. Bulls in place. Idle bulls. Bulls quitting. 107 122 80 68 68 52 32 19 a7 9 45 49 59 66 92 111 117 128 10 93 130 281 640 1,415 2,382 2,825 3,133 1 June 23 12 20 June 26 16 June 29 . . . 69 July 2 c5 July 6 cl July 8 Julv 12 17 13 (c) EAST CLIFFS, rf June 10 .• 42 37 32 21 16 13 14 6 e5 .Tune 17 5 11 23 27 35 38 40 40 49 50 10 47 163 313 522 941 1,090 1,432 1,422 1,486 e20 e20 June 24 <14 June 27 <;20 June 29 el5 July 2 «9 July 4 July 7 Julv 9 el6 .fl5 ii 17 (/) July 13 (/) n These include young bulls or half-bulls. ftldle bulls with holnstiak not counted this day. '' Several bulls in water. ''Cliffs very difficult to count; cows lie in among the rocks; coinit is generally under rather than oyer. « These at "hauling grounds of the holustiak. / Four in place on rookery at holnstiak ground. 56 ALASKAN 8EAL FISHERIES. Ddili/ counix of rookrrieK St. (ieorr/e Island, sraxo)) 1904 — Continued. EAST REEF. Date of count. Harems. Cows. Bulls in place. Idle bulls. Bulls quitting. ,1 une 10 16 20 20 9 5 2 2 a'6 J uiie 17 al June 20 16 June 24 12 16 20 19 18 20 21 20 19 41 63 138 213 337 :«ii 395 04 June 27 'tS June 29 o2 Julv 2 a2 Julv4 a? July 7 . .. . «1 July 9 3 1 July 13 LITTLE EAST. June 10 16 17 13 7 7 4 2 2 June 17 June 20 4 10 10 14 15 16 17 17 18 4 17 23 60 138 210 313 351 320 June 24 June 27 1 June 29 Julv 2 1 July 4 1 Julv 7 2 3 1 Julv 9 JulvlSb « .At the hauling ground. '' Harems disintegrating. .STARAYA ARTEL ROOKERY. The harems on this rookery are so massed together that it is impossible to get among them for counting. ,An attempt was made on June 13 to count the harems and cows, and 39 harems were found, estimated to contain 1,600 to 1,700 cove's. There were 14 idle bulls. ZAPADNI ROOKERY. This rookery is in the same case as Staraya Artel last mentioned. The harems are very much massed. On July 14 tried to count harems and cows. I counted fairly well 28 harems, in which were found 1,162 cows. There were 56 bulls with harems. Giving to the remaining 28 harems a number of cows equal to those in the 28 actually counted, we have 2,324 cows all told, which is the best estimate to be made under existing conditions. There were 14 idle bulls. Recapitulafio)!. Harems. Cows. Idle bulls. North Rookery 128 50 21 18 39 56 3,133 1,486 395 351 1,650 2,324 13 East Reef Cliffs . . 17 East Reef 3 Little East 1 Starava Artel 14 Zapadni 14 312 9,339 62 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 57 Exhibit No. 18. Booker}/ counts of live pups, dead pups, cows, etc. Date of Name of rookery. Number of — Number of dead- count. Live pups. Dead pups. Cows. Bulls. July 28 31 3,151 540 662 2,291 4,284 2,384 82 6 6 45 101 32 4 no 1 4 2 1 2 Little East 31 East Reef 31 East Cliffs Aug. 1 1 North Total 13,312 271 12 2 a Falling off is very startling. The counting of East Cliffs is always unsatisfactory. The rocks under which the pups lie or hide themselves are close to the earth, while at the same time large, so that the refugees are difficult to reach. The count is apt to be under rather than over the true number. A few new-born pups were seen on each rookery. Very little trouble from bulls was met with. Very respectfully, . Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent in Charge.. August, 1904. Exhibit No. 19. St. George Island, Alaska, foxing season of 1908-4- Place. Date. Killed. Brand- 1 Re- ed, caught. i No. of trapping. 6 1 3> 6 "3 a Remarks. First Fox house . . do 1903. Nov. 22 Nov. 29 Dec. 6 Dec. 10 Dec. 14 Dec. 18 JDec. 21 JDec. 23 |Dec. 27 j-Dec. 29 , 1904. >Jan. 1 ban. 4 {■Jan. 8 ban. 10 Ijan. 11 {■Jan. 12 jjan. 14 {■Jan. 15 >Jan, 19 50 25 17 2 4 {I {.1 I? fl2 ll8 P I 5 J I 3 / t {'? w {\ {I 39 20 4 1 2 9 6 19 27 25 2 6 7 3 6 6 I 11 8 5 5 3 6 1 1 Second 2 94 19 17 35 8 15 161 34/ 101 4/ 61 8/ 251 3/ 1 1 'SI ?} 1 2 3 33 19 39 50 51 48 63 29 24 "'3' 32 11 31 51 52 38 65 24 25 Third do .... 18 2 ! 37 High tide. Sloppy. Fourth do Fifth do 2 2 ""i' 1 5 25 12 29 7 4 5 2 14 4 3 1 3 1 2 3 10 8 8 7 3 3 3 3 Sixth do Do. Seventh /Fox house . . /Village (Fox house . . iVillage (Fox house . . /Village /Fox house.. /Village (Fox house.. /Village JFox house . . /Village /Fox house.. /Village (Fox house . . /Village (Fox house.. /Village /Fox house.. /Village /Fox house.. /Village /Fox house.. /Village /Fox house . . /Village (Weather cold and high. 1 wind. Eighth Ninth . . . Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Fourteenth 17 54 65 52 18 25 15 58 63 49 20 20 Sixteenth Seventeenth Eighteenth Nineteenth Weather mild-calm. 32°. (The females killed were \ toothless. Weather, [ mild-windy. 58 ALASKAN .sP;AL FISHERIES. St. (li'oi-ijf /x/iiikI, Aldskd, j'o.iitiij season of 1903-4 — Continued. No. of trapping. Twentieth Twenty-first Twenty-second . . Twenty-third... Twentj--fourth . Twenty-fifth Twenty-sixth Twenty-seventh Twenty-eighth . Total Killed. riarc. DiUe. Uan. 21 [•Jan. 22 !-J an. 23 fFox house.. I Village fFox house.. \Village (Fox house.. tVillage fFox hou.se.. \Village (Fox house.. tVillage fFox house.. \Village fFox house.. i\,„„ .,, {village If'^"- ^^ /Fox house. ~ \Village J Fox house.. ^Village 1904. ban. 20 [■Jan. 24 ban. 25 [Jan. 28 l-Jan. 29 219 250 1 Brand- Re- ed. I caught, ^ S 284 0/ '^ 286 60 65 a77 am n87 o32 alO Remarks. a Sex not ascertained. Note.— Three were found dead or killed outside of traps and skins taken. One found dead after trapping ended, with agood skin. All foxes killed in the later trappings were old. Oneblue fox found dead after ending of season included. The total number of blue fox skins secured is ^71: the total number of white fox skins secured is 15; total 486. Exhibit No. 20. Crux'UsofSt. George Island, Alaska, June 30, 1904- No. of No. of fam- per- ily. son. f 1 2 1 3 4 5 f 6 2 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 13 14 15 16 17 18 4 19 20 21 22 23 5 24 25 26 6 1 27 I 28 ^ f 29 I 30 31 32 » 38 34 35 I 36 Name of individual. Galanin.Evan Galanin, Anna Galanin, Akalina Galanin, Alexander Galanin, George GorokotT, Corneil Gorokofl", Martha Oustigoff, Alexandra Oustigoff, Stepanida Lekanoff , Stepan Lekanolf , Pelagia Lekanoff, Anatoli Lekanoff, Sergius Lekanoff, Sara LekanotT, Marina Lekanoff, George Lestenkoft', Dimitri Lestenkiiff, Alexandra . . Lestenkoff, Klizabeth ... Lestenkoft', Constantine. Merculioft', Marka Diakanoff, Katie Lestenkoff, Michael Lestenkoff, Oulita Lestenkoff, Innokenty . . Lestenkoff, Anna ....... Malavansky, Nicolai Malavansky, Fedosia . . . Merculioff, Evan Mercnlioff, Natalia Merenliotl, (ieorge Merculioft', Stepanida . . . Merculioff, Peter Merculioff, Sophia Merculioff, George, jr ... Merculioff, Martha '' Family relation. Ages. Male. Female. 'Wlien born. Husband Wife Mother Brother Son Husband a 'Wife (I Stepdaughter. do Husband Wife Son do Daughter do Son Husband Wife Mother Son Foster son Niece Husband Wife Son Daughter Husband Wife Husband Wife HusbaiyJ Wife Son Daughter Son Sister 34 39 28 34 23 Sept. 1881 1862 Sept. June Mav 1870 Mav Nov. Nov. Oct. Apr. Oct. Aug. Mar. Apr. May May Sept. Sept. Apr. Nov. Oct. Oct. Sept. Sept. Dec. Apr. Jan. Sept. Nov. Dec. Julv Sept. Apr. Julv 30, 1881 11, 1885 1903 1856 1893 1894 1869 1869 1890 1891 1893 1895 1897 1862 1879 1834 1898 1885 1888 1872 1869 1896 1898 18 J4 1881 1876 1880 1873 1878 1899 1901 1903 1893 a This couple married on Aug. 9, 1903. b Clothing furnished by the North American Commercial Co. ALASKA^ SEAL FISHERIES. 59 Cen^'Of of St. George Island, Alasl-a, Jane 30, iSO^— Continued. Ages. Faniilv relation, t- Male. 1 Female. Wlien born. l.T 1 -i{ 90 MeixuliotY..losi'iili ' Husband. MerouliotV. Marvfira i Wife Mcrciilioff, .l.ihiw ' Brother. . . MtTculioir. Holeiiav ! Sister MtTculiot)'. Niciilai [ Husband . MtrculiolT, Matrona Wife Son do.... Bachelor . Mother . . . Brother. . . Husband . Wife Daughter. Son Daughter . Son do.... Hu.sband . Wife 32 Merculidrt'. Lavrenty MtTCuliiitY, (iavril NedarazolY. Nicolai Nedaraziilf, Kfifhuida NedarazDfT. Isidur Philimunott', .\iidronic ... Philimonoff, Zcnobia Philinionofl", Marina Philiniouolf, Leonti Philimonoff, Alexandra.. Philimonolf, .\ndronic, jr Philimonoff, Eoff Philimonoff, Gregory .... Philimonoff, Malania .... Pliilimonoff, Dimitri ! Brother Nozekoff, Paul Nephew Oustigoff, .Vnfessia i Foster child Philimonoff, Simeon Husband Philimonolf , Kvadotia Wife Philimonoff, Zoya Daughter Philimonoff', Joseph Son Philimonoff, Ignati do Philimonoff". Julia i Daughter Philimonolf, Helena do Philimonoff, Pelagia " Granddaughter. Prokojiiott'. Peter < Husbatld ProkoiiiolV, Stepanida , Wife Pri ikopioff , Mart ha i Daughter Prokopii )ir, ilarina ' do Prokojiioff. .\le.\ander | Son Pr()ko|iioft', Lavrenty I do Shane. Michael '. ' Bachelor Shane, Raiessa I Mother Merculioff. Stepan \ Cou.sin Swetzoft". Gregory [ Bachelor Swetzott', Paul ; Cou.sin Galanin , Fe vronia Widow and j cousin. Zachar^ift', Emanuel Husband Zacharoff. Mary I Wife Zacharoff , Daria j Daughter Zacharoff, Stepan ; Son Malavansky. Kipsimia" | Spinster Malavansky. Petero | Son Mahivafisky. Wassiea i Spinster Malavatisky. Christopher" Scm Philimofioff. Foekla « I Foster child Merculioff, Wassalis « Widow Merculioff, .\le.xafidra o Daughter 1 3 mo. 26 30 30 2 3 mo. 16 40 |. 2 10 mo. 16 Mar. 17 May 14 Jan. 18 Mav 27 May 19 Jan. 2 Sept. 8, Apr. 8 Dec. 18: Jan. 5 Feb. 15, Oct. 24 Nov. 12 May 12, May Apr. 25 Oct. 18 June 8 Oct. 12 Jan. 12 Mav 2.5 Inly 11 Apr. 21 Aug. 3 Feb. 28, Nov. 12 Feb. 4 Dec. 29 Mar. 12 Apr. 10, Oct. 19 Mav 29 Nov. 18, Mar. S Mar. 5 Mav 1 Aug. 30 Oct. 13 Sept. 27 Nov. 29 Julv 8 June 25 PRIEST'S F.\MH,y. 91 ' Kasliivaroff, Peter (priest) Husband 92 I KashivarcitT, Anna Wife 93 ! Kasliivaroff, Walter Son 94 i Pavloff, Katrina Niece 95 i Riazanzoff, Serefina Orphan.. Inf. 39 July Apr. Apr. Jan. Jan. Aug. June Oct. Jan. Apr. Mar. Jan. Julv Dec. Jnlv 1872 I87y 1890 1884 1880 1883 1902 1904 1877 1854 1891 1867 1866 1890 1894 1896 1898 1902 1872 1874 1886 1896 1895 1850 1871 1892 1894 1899 1902 1904 1887 1864 1876 1896 1898 190? 1903 1887 1852 1890 1885 1892 1877 1880 1874 1902 1904 1858 1888 1874 1904 1894 1851 1878 3, 1857 17, 1865 2, 1887 2, 1893 1, 1887 REStDlNC; ELSEWHERE. Malavansky, Cleopatra Daughter of Ripsimia. 21 Oct. 31,1882 "Supported by the North American Commercial Co RECAPITULATION. Number of native inhabitants at last preceding census, including Priest's family 92 Increase by births during past year. C Decrease by deaths during past year 3 Actual number of native residents 95 60 ALASKAN SKAL KISHERIKS. Cenxus of St. Georr/e hhnui, Alaska, June SO, 1904 — Continuetl. SUMMARY. Number of native families 21 Number of native individuals 95 Number of native males 4« Number of native females 47 Number (jf native males 16 years old or over 24 Number of native males Itet ween 6 and 13 years old 11 Number of native males uniler 6 years old 13 Number of native females Ki years old or over , 28 Number of native females between 10 and 6 years old 14 Nimiber of native females under 6 years old 5 Number of males of school aKC 11 Number of females of school age 14 The number of families wholly supported by the company is one. One other family partially sup- ported by the company. Peter Malavansky, now become a sealer, will be furnished food by the company until September 1. Eight individuals are now wholly .supported by the company and 4 clothed only. • Gorernment agents and ronipani/ employees. — Ezra W. Clark, assistant agent in charge; H. D. Ciiichester, assistant agent; Mrs. Ezra W. Clark; Dr. L. A. Noyes, company agent; Henry E. Routh, bookkeeper; J. A.Lake, clerk; Clinton R. Edson, school-teacher; Gee Ho, Chinese cook. I certify that the foregoing is a correct copy of the census of St. George Island, Alaska, as made by me on June 30, 1904. Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent in Charge, St. George Island. Exhibit No. 21. Seal dielsion, St. George Island, 1904- By 1,996 sealskins, at 50 cents each $998.00 To 14 men of class 1, at $43.95 each 615. 30 To 5 men of class 2, at $35.15 each 175. 75 To 5 men of class 3, at $26.40 each 132. 00 To 2 men of special class, at $40 and $34.95 74. 95 998. 00 First-class shares. — Fourteen men at $49.35 each as follows: Cornell Gorokoff, Peter Kashivaroff (priest), Stepan Lekanoff, Dimitri Lestenkoff, Michael Lestenkoff, Nick- olai Malavansky, George Merculioff, Joseph Merculioff, Nicolai Merculioff, Andronic Philimonoff, Gregory Philimonoff, Simeon Philimonoff, Peter Prokopioff, Emanuel Zacharoff. Second-class .'shares. — Five men, at $35.15 each, as follows: Evan Galanin, Evan Merculioff, Nicolai Niderezoff, Michael Shane, Gregorj' Swetzoff. Third-class shares. — Five men, at $26.40 each, as follows: Alexander Galanin, Walter Kashivaroff, Peter Malavansky, Marka Merculioff, and Dimitri PhiHmonoff. Special-class sJiares. — Two men, as follows: Stepan Lekanoff, extra as chief, $40; Joseph Merculioff, extra as second chief, $34.95. The foregoing seal division was duly made, and has l)een placed to the credit, on the books of the North Anierican Commercial Company, of the natives as designated respectviely. (Signed) Ezka W. Clark, Assistant Agent in Charge. Dr. L. A. Noyes, Agent North American Commercial Co. Stepan Lekanoff, Chief. JosKi'H Merculioff, Second Chief. ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 61 Exhibit No. 22. Fox dJi'iKion, »Sy. George Island, Alaskxi, made Jane 1, 1904. By 471 blue-fox skins, at f!5 eacli |2, 355. 00 By 15 white-fox skins, at $1 each 15. 00 2, 370. 00 To allowance to hydrant keej)er 5. 00 To chief for extra labor 30. 00 To second chief for extra labor 25. 00 60.00 First-class shares. — Thirteen men at$116.65 each, as follows: Cornell Gorokoff, Stepan Lekanoff, Dimitri Lestenkoff, Michael Lestenkoff, Nicolai Malavansky, George Mer- culioff, Joseph jNIerculioff, Nicolai Merculioff, Andronic Philimonoff, Gregory Phili- monoff, Simeon Philimonoff, Peter Prokopioff, Peter Kashivaroff (priest). Second-class shares. — Four men at $93.40 each, as follows: Evan Galanin, P"van Merculioff, Nicolai Niderezoff, Emanuel Zacharoff. Third-class .^Jiares. — Six men at $70 each, as follows: Alexander Galanin, Walter Kashivaroff, Marka Merculioff, Dimitri Philimonoff, Michael Shane, Gregorv Swet- zoff. I certify that the foregoing is a correct transcript of the fox division as made on June 1, 1904, and that the amounts as designated have been placed to the credit of the natives respectively designated on the North American Commercial Company's book.«. Ezra W. Clark, A.m.ftard agent in charge. Exhibit No. 23. ^Innval statement of fur seals killed on St. George Island for food of natires. Date. Nov 1903. Oct. 19 20 21 22 24 26 29 31 2 4 5 8 9 11 11 16 17 1904. May 31 Rookery. Staraya Artel North Zapadni, watchmen . East Zapadni Staraya Artel North East Staraya Artel Zapaidni, watchmen . North Zapadni East Staraya Artel Zapadni, watchmen . do East and North North East Zapadni, watchmen. Larpe Skins ac- young Total. cepted seals. bylessees. 40 40 40 68 68 68 2 2 o 26 26 26 6 6 6 36 36 36 82 82 82 61 61 61 2 2 2 » 2 2 54 54 54 22 22 22 11 11 11 42 42 42 2 2 2 2 2 2 13 13 13 4 4 4 20 20 20 Two skins are to be deducted from the foregoing to meet discrepancy explained in note on general statement. The number killed for food is therefore 495. The foregoing is correct. Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent in Charge. 62 ALASKAN SEAL FISHKKIKS. IvvniBiT Nil. 24. Meinoraudd of expeiiditnn'K occoiud indins St. (icon/c Ishnul for I'Icrcit iiioidlix, 190-1-f. Xanic of hoacl f)t" family. Alex. Ualaiiin Evan Galanin ("orncil UonikolV Peter Kashivat'olT (priest) Peter Kasliivaeotf, jr Walter Kashivaeoflf Stepan LekanolY (chief) Dimitri Lestenkoff Mike LestenkofT George Mereulioff .lohn Merenlitiff .loseph MerciiliolT (2nd chief) Marka Merciilinrt' Nieolai Malavansky Nicolai Mcrcnlioff Nieolai Xiderczofi:' Andronic I'liilimonotf Dimitri I'hiliiudnoff Gregory Pliilimonoff Simeon Philimonoff Peter Prokopioff Michael Shane Gregory Swetzoff Emannel Zaeharoff Peter Malavansky Commiinit V fund Fo.x and seal division. Sn3.95 158. 00 I 197.38 197.38 74.33 44. 20 267. 39 197. 38 197. 38 197.38 157. 00 257. 38 118.20 197.38 197. S8 158.00 197. 38 118.40 197. 38 197.38 197. 38 44.20 133.23 1.58. 00 Govern- ment ap- propria- tion. 8199. 55 195. 30 137. 80 300. 35 216. 50 125. 75 288. 95 135.00 154.48 6.00 127. 60 157.65 169. 65 309. 10 18.00 121.05 298. 70 198. 20 256.92 209. 75 152. 70 9.05 112. .50 Total. •f 11 3. 95 357. 55 392. 68 197. 38 74.33 182.00 567. 74 413. 88 323. 13 486. 33 292. 00 411.86 124. 20 324. 98 355. 03 327. 65 .506.48 136.40 318.43 496. 08 395. 58 301. 12 342. 98 310. 70 9.05 112.50 Total 7, 874. 01 Exhibit No. 25. School Report, St. (leorye. St. Geor(;e Lsland, Alaska, April 29, 1904. Dear Sir: Tl:^ following is offered as school report for the year 1903-4. A school has been furnished for the native children of St. George Island, as required by the lease of the Nortii American Commercial Company, for eight months, beginning Tues- day, September 1, 1903, and closing Friday, April 29, 1904. Twenty-five scholars have attended this school for the year excepting absences .shown below, most of which were occasioned by the prevailing distemper among the natives during March and April. Four of last year's pupils, being beyond the age of required attendance, did not return to the school in Septendoer, and their places were partially tilled by two very promising beginners, George Lekanoff and Innokenty Lestenkoff, making the school smaller by two than last year. The usual Christmas and church holidays were observed. Number of boys attending school 12 Number of girls attending school 13 Total 25 Number of school weeks 35 Number of school days 1 74 Number of holidays observed 18 Number of days school was in session 156 Absences excused by doctor days. . 84 Absences excused by Government agent do 2^ Absences unexcused do :] Absences, total 88 Total attendance 3, 812 Average daily attendance 24//;; C. R. Edsox, Teacher. Maj. E. W. Clark, ^Imistant Agent in Charge St. George Island. ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. (^S No. 4. PRELIMINARY REPORT TO DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR, 1905, OF W. I. LEMBKEY, AGENT ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. Office of Agent in Charge of Seal Islands, /Sf. Paid Island, Alaska, June 17, 1905. Deak Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of Department's letter of the 1st ultimo, containing- instructions for the official guidance of the Government agents on the seal islands for the season of 1905. During the past winter, and including June 5, 1905, 1,545 seals were taken on the two islands for food for the natives, out of the allotment of 2,000 for that purpose. Of these 1,311 were taken on St. Paul and 236 on St. George. There were killed on St. George last winter 262 blue foxes and 10 white foxes. On St. Paul Island only 1 white skin was taken, and no blues. On Otter Island, 6 miles southwest of St. Paul, 31 blue foxes and 2 white foxes were taken. This latter island has not been visited for the purpose of trapping foxes since 1894. The total trapping of foxes for branding and killing last winter on St. George indicates a decrease in the whole number of foxes present on the island of 295, as compared with the preceding season. Until this time the weather has been too unfavorable for marking- bachelor seals. A drive for branding was made on St. Paul yesterda}^, but we were forced to release the seals without branding anv, because of the dry, warm weather which set in after the drive was made. The counts of bulls made thus far on St. Paul Island indicate a probable falling off of 10 to 15 per cent in the total number to be present at the height of the season. The cows have just begun to arrive and no estimate of their number can be made. In regard to bachelors it may be possible to equal last year's catch, though a smaller number would not surprise me. Assistant Agents Chichester and Clark have been placed on St. George for the summer, with Assistant Agent Judge and mj'self on St. Paul. In the fall Agent Judge and myself wall return to the States, Agent Chichester will remain for the winter in charge of St. George, and Agent Clark will assume charge of St. Paul Island for the same period. Veiy tiuly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent hi Charge of Seal Idand'<. Mr. F. H. Bowen, Chief Clerk, Department 11 13 1 1 1 3 14 16 Northeast Point 1 10 5 Reef and Gorbateh 19 21 Northeast Point 2 •)•> 4 26 8 2 16 22 'l 13 3 3 3 16 3 31 1 11 9 6 1 3 3 2 14 3 1 2 2 2 2 1 24 Zapadni 26 3 27 Tolstoi Reef . . 2 3 28 Zapadni and Little 2apadni Reef 31 1 31 Northeast Point 4 1 7 1 2 Aug. 10 Total 363 219 98 41 14 The large seals dismissed on St. George were classified by Agent Chichester as follows: 4 years, 129; 63'ears, 21; 6 3"ears, 27; bulls, 14. COUNTS OF PUPS. Commencing on Julv 28, on St. Paul, the usual counts of pups were made on the rookery spaces selected for that purpose. A statement of the count so made, with that of the preceding 3' ear, attached for purposes of comparison, follows: Rookerv. Ketovi Lagoon Tolstoi Cliff Zapadni Reef Polovina Cliff Ardiguen Lukanin West side Northeast Point East side Northeast Point Little Polovina , Polovina , Gorbateh Cliff , Amphitheatre , Sea Lion Rock b , TotaL Harems. Pups, 'l^^^^f'' ' Harems. Pups. \IZ^S 2,147 1,084 1,571 1,091 1,412 565 2, 020 2,312 831 941 3,691 481 4.58 18, 604 31.11 45.16 41.34 23. 71 35. 30 37. 66 39.60 48.16 43.73 44.80 51.26 40.08 38.16 39.83 369 harem. 1,858 929 1,447 833 1,289 437 1,841 1,793 696 918 3,320 337 361 16, 059 34.59 40.39 41.34 27. 76 35. 80 48. 55 42. 81 56.03 34.80 76.50 62. 64 33.70 30.08 43.52 Per cent harems. 21.7 4.1 7.8 34.7 10 40 15.6 33.3 «5. 2 38 26.3 16.6 Decrease pups. 13.4 14.2 7.8 23.6 8.7 22.6 8.8 22.4 16.2 2.4 10 29.9 21.1 20.77 o Increa.se. ''On June 19, 1905, Sea Lion Rock had 45 bulls stationed. On July 28 it had 2,565 pups. No countof harems could be made at the proper time. The counts of bulls and of pups, therefore, are omitted in the above table, from which an average harem is obtained, based on actual counts of both harems and pups. 7U ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. Oil St. (ieorge, where pups on iill the rookeries are counted each year, the followinj>- count was made by Agent Chichester: Date. Rookery. Live pups. Dead pups. Dead cows. 1905. Julv 29 Zapadiii 2,742 4,047 2, 148 2,700 650 412 45 142 14 46 3 3 3 31 North 2 31 31 Starava Artel East 1 31 East Reef 31 Little East Total 12,699 253 6 Contrasted with the count on St. George for 1904, which showed 13,312 live and 271 dead, a decrease of 033 pups on St. George is apparent, or 4.0 per cent. AVERAGE HAREM. The average harem for 1905. taken from the counts of pups just detailed, was 43.52 on St. Paul and 50.2 on St. George. In 1904 the average harem on St. Paul was 39.83; on St. George, 43.59. NUMBER OF BREEDING SEALS ON BOTH ISLANDS. From the actual count on St. Paul of pups on certain portions of the rookeries and an estimation of the num])er on the remaining por- tions, based on the numl)er in the average harems, a total of 1,50<) harems and 65,884 breeding cows is obtained. The harems enumerated contain 45 estimated for Sea Lion Rock. On St. George, by actual count, 258 harems and 12,952 breeding cows were found. The total number of breeding seals on both islands, therefore, is 1,758 bulls with harems, and 78,836 cows. From similar ligures obtained in 1904, a decrease of 411 breeding bulls and 8,749 breeding cows is apparent, representing IS per cent decrease in breeding bulls and 9 per cent decrease in breeding cows. This percentage of decrease in cows, however, is based partially on estimation, as already stated, on St. Paul. The percentage of decrease in (!ows on that portion of the St. Paul rookeries, where actual counts were made, is 13.67 per cent, and is accepted by us as more accurately representing the rate of decrease than the whole census, which incor- porates an element of uncertainty. IDLE BULLS. In 1905, as ah-eady stated, there were 119 idle ])ulls on St. Paul, and 22 on St. George, of all classes, or 141 for both islands. These inchide stationed bulls, without cows, as well as those young bulls appearing on the rookeries which leave on our approach, termed by us "quitters." In 1994 232 idle bulls on St. Paul and 62 idle on St. George were found, or 294 for both islands. This comparison shows that there has ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 71 been a decrease of 153 idle bulls on both islands since IHOl, or 52 per cent. The total number of idle bulls on the two islands in 1905, including those young" males found on the rookery space but not stationed, is 7 per cent of the whole number of bulls present. ENUMERATION OF ALL CLASSES. It has been seen already that 1,758 breeding bulls and 78,836 adult cows were present this season, together Avith 141 idle bulls. In addi- tion to this number of breeding seals, it is now desired to estimate, in accordance with the direction of the Department, the total number of individuals in all classes of seal life on the two islands. NUMBER OF HALF BULLS. In computing the number of half bulls present on the islands, refer- ence is had, of course, to the table of large seals rejected from the drives during the season. On 8t. Paul Island last summer 721 rejections occurred between the ages of 4 and 7 \"ears. To these must be added 120 4-year-olds branded the year before and appearing in the drives this year, making a total number of 841 rejections on 8t. Paul Island of young male seals over 4 years of age. On St. George Island Mr. Chichester noted 177 dismissals of seals between the ages of 4 and 6 yeai's, both inclusive. The number of branded 4-year-olds seen there probably will bring up that number to 185. There were, therefore, on both islands 1,026 rejections of 3'oung seals above the age of 4 and under 8 years. It was estimated by me last year that at least 50 per cent more animals of this class were in existence than were seen in the drives. While the estimate is believed to be too low, it was adopted because of the desire to be well within the actual number in being. On this basis the addition of 50 per cent to the number of large young rejec- tions found on both islands would show 1.539 3'oung males present between the ages of 4 and 7 years. The number is nearly 500 in excess of that for the same class of animals present the preceding year. This increase is due directly to the enforcement of the regulations restricting the killing on the islands. NUMBER OF 3-YEAR-OLD BACHELORS. One thousand of this class of animals were branded this summer on the islands. The killings on St. Paul contained approximately 1,65(> skins, weighing between Ti and 9 pounds, first inclusive, thus making 2,650 of this class handled. By consulting the table of rejections we find that 37 per cent were not present in any subsequent drive. Using this percentage as a basis, and increasing the number found this summer — 2,650 — by 37 per cent, a total is reached of 3,630 3-}' ear-olds present this season. Deducting the number killed — 1,650 — there would then remain at the close of the season 1,980 3-year-old males. It was estimated in m\" report of 1904 that 5,500 2-3'ear-olds were in 72 ALASKAN SEAL i^ISHERIES. oxisteiK'C at the close of the season. The fact that onl}' ;->,n;^>() 3-year- olds are shown by the precedincr lij>ures to have been hauled in li)05 would raise the question as to the whereabouts of the difference between these two figures, or nearly 2,<)(»0 seals. Disregardino- the number of 3-year-old bachelors that may have hauled among the cows this sunnner and were not driven, it must be noted that the 2 and 3 year old skins merg-e between the weights of 7 and 7i pounds. On St. Paul. HGS skins were taken weighing T i)()unds and 5s3 weighing 7i pounds. How many of these were 2-year-olds and how many were 3-3'ear-olds can not be determined, but in them possibly lies the solu- tion to the question as to the whereabouts of a portion of the 2,00Q 3-vear-olds not accounted for. The mortality from natural causes, as well as that fi'om pelagic sealing among tli(»se animals, must be con- sidered also as having- lessened the niuuber. NUMBER OF 2-YEAR-OLUS PRESENT. On St. Paul, in 190.5, 800 2-year-olds were l^randed and released and 1.005 rejections of branded 2-year-olds made during- the same time. This would show that the dismissals this 3^ear of this class of animals exceeded by 25 per cent the whole number known to be branded. The number of dismissals of small unbranded seals on St. Paul in 1905 was 5,5-18, of which probably 500 w^ere yearlings. This leaves practicall}^ 5,000 rejections of 2-year-olds. By the proportion of ani- mals present, ascertained by the rejections of branded 2-year-olds, a reduction of 25 per cent from this number should be made to repre- sent the actual number of animals embraced, which would show 3,750 2-year-olds actually present in the class of dismissed seals. Adding to this number the 800 branded, and allowing 1,000 for 2-year-old bachelors not driven, would give a total of 5,550 remaining for St. Paul. On St. George 2,077 small rejections occurred. Deducting 25 per cent from the number, gives 1,500 animals actually present. Adding- to these the 200 branded on the island, would make a total of 1,700 2-year-olds on St. George at the close of the season. It will thus be seen that on the two islands 7,200 2-year olds remain at the end of the season of 1905. It was estimated by me in 1904 that 21,324 3^earling l)achelors were then present. They would, of course, return to the islands in 1905 as 2 year-olds. An opportunity is had, therefore, of testing the value of the former estimate. The catch this year included approximately 12,000 2-year-old skins. Adding to these the 7,200 2-year-olds estimated as still remaining, would give 19,200 2-3'ear-olds accounted for. The diflerence between the estimate and the number returning to the islands, as in the case of 3-\"ear-olds, may easilv be accounted for when animals not driven are considered as well as mortalitv^ at sea. 2-YEAR-OLD cows. It was estimated last year that 21,324 yearling- females were present. By the methods used last year it was estimated also that 30 per cent of the yearlings of one season would perish during the migration which ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 73 they would make before they would return to the islands as 2-year- olds. Applying- this reduction to the 21,324 yearling cows of 1904 would bring back 11,927 2-year-old cows in 1905. I believe this estimate of 2-3"ear-old cows for 1905 to be well within the actual number present. YEARLING SEALS. In 1904 it was estimated that 87,585 pups were born on the two islands. Assuming that they were equally divided as regards sex, and allowing a 50 per cent mortality as having taken place during their first migration, would bring back to the islands in 1905 21,896 yearling- males and 21.896 yearling females. Pelagic sealing, however, is especially destructive to this class of animals, because thev spend the greater portion of their time in the water. A deduction for pelagic sealing of 3,000 from each of these classes would leave 18,896 yearling males and 18,896 j'earling females present about the islands in 1905. SUMMARY OF ALL CLASSES. From the actual counts made, and from the estimates already detailed, it is safe to state the total number of seals of all classes present on the two islands as follows: Breeding cows 78, 836 2-year-old cows 14, 927 Yearling cows. 18, 896 New-born pups 78, 836 Bulls with harems 1 , 758 Adult idle bulls 141 Half-bulls 1, 539 3-year-old bachelors 1 , 980 2-year-old bachelors 7, 200 Yearling bachelors 18, 896 Total 223,009 SCARCITY OF BULLS. In connection with the increase in the average harem, from 39.83 on St. Paul and 43.59 on St. George in 1904, to 43.52 on St. Paul and 50.2 on St. George in 1905, owing to the decrease in breeding bulls occurring during the interval, it is thought necessary to call the atten- tion of the Department to the condition in which the breeding rookeries on S^. Paul were found at the height of the season with reference to a sufficiency of adult males. The presence of a smaller number of bulls on the rookeries was, of course, established early in the season before the advent of the cow\s, by counts made upon the arrival of the bulls and a comparison of the same w^th those of the preceding season. The question of the sufficiency of male life received my closest attention, and my observations were ably ampliiied by those of Agent Judge. SCARCITY OF BULLS ON ROOKERIES. As has been stated previousl}^, 1,455 bulls with harems were found on St. Paul Island in 1905, as against 1,790 in 1904, a decrease of 335 in the number of harems. These figures exclude the harems on Sea Lion Rock. ti ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. This decrease of 335 breeding- bulls represents a loss of 18 per cent. The decrease in (^ows on the space actually counted on St. Paul was 13.6 per cent, while the decrease on th(^ liiial estimated number of cows on the whole island was 10 per cent. Since the rate of loss in breedino- l)ulls is larger than that in breed- ing cows, it must follow that the averaoe harem in 1905 would be larger than that of the previous year, or, in plain terms, each surviv- ing bull would be required to serve in 1905 a greater number of cows than in 1904. ABSENCE OF IDLE BILLS ON CERTAIN ROOKERIES. In the intermediate counts made b}' Mr. Judge and mvself of breed- ing seals it was soon learned that while there were idle bulls present on certain rookeries in sufficient number to increase proper service of the cows, on other rookeries the bulls stationed were practically all occupied with cows, leaving no surplus for emergencies. • On Ardiguen, from Jul}" 1 to 13, the 9 stationed bulls on the rook- ery all had cows. On July 11, at nearly the height of the season, the cows present on land on that rookery made an average harem, for all bulls stationed, of 29. This does not take into account the cows absent at sea feeding. During this period from one to four young bulls, were present on the rookery, but did not succeed in getting cows and went into the water on the slightest alarm. The average harem for this rooker}" (Ardiguen) as determined by the count of pups was -18.55. This means of course that these cows were not evenly distributed in this exact proportion, but that some bulls had twice this number, while others had correspondingly less. The number of cows present in each harem, as determined by my count on July 11, was as follows: 20, IT, 26, 31, 66, 52, 16, 29, 1. A ''quitter" or young bull was present on the date on which harems were counted, but was hauled on the extreme end of the rookery apart from the cows. From this count it can be seen that 2 bulls had, respectively, 6() and 52 cows present in their harems at the time of the count. How man}^ cows already served l)y the bull were absent at sea at this date from these large harems is not possible to state, but as our count of pups showed that at the height of the season not over 60 per cent of cows were present on the rookery, the addition of 40 per cent to these large harems would bring the total number of cows served hy these two harem masters to 72 and 92, respectively. NO IDLE BULLS ON AMPHITHEATER. On the Amphitheater of Ketovi, from July 5 to July 23 (after wdiich date no further counts were made by us), there were no bulls stationed that were not employed with cows, except on July 8 when one bull was idle for that da}- only. During the period from July 8 to 11 three young " quitters'" were present without cows. After that date two of them, so far as we know, obtained cows in independent harems. The third either disiippeared from the rookery or took the place of an old bull exhausted W rookery work. At the height of the season there were 12 bulls on the rookeiy, all occupied with cows. ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 75 On Ketovi rooker}' during- the height of the .season not over 3 sta- tioned idle bulls were present. On Jul}' 21 all bulls on this rookery were engaged with cows. On July 13 out of the 57 bulls stationed 54 had cows. This rookery, it will be noted, received a stead}' accession of bulls up to the 19th of July, when 6<» bidls were stationed and 59 occupied with cows. On the i6th of June, by which date all bulls, according to the old reports, are expected to have arrived and stationed them- selves, there were only 42 stationed and 7 young '" quitters." On Lagoon, on July 13, 25 bulls were present and 23 had cows. One '"quitter" was present. On Lukanin, on July 11, 46 bulls were stationed and 43 had harems. On July 13, 45 were stationed and 43 had harems. On the 11th there was one ''quitter,'' and on the 13th two "quitters.'''' The greatest number of cows were present on these two days. On Vostoshni, the west side of Northeast Point, when harems were counted on July 16. 32 bulls were present, all of which had cows. On this rookery, or rather this end of Northeast Point rookery, the aver- age harem was 56. On Morjovi, the east side of Northeast Point, 20 bulls were stationed, each having a harem. A "quitter'" was present on an abandoned por- tion of the rookery. The average harem on this side was 34. On the entire rookery at Northeast Point at the height of the sea- son, July 16, 378 bulls were stationed. Of these 362 were masters of harems, leaving 16 idle. As the shore line of this rookery, the largest on either island, extends over 3 miles, the presence of only 16 idle bulls on this entire stretch of rookery space is significant. At this time 11 quitters were noted in addition. These undoubtedly found cows later. On Polovina, out of 56 bulls present on July 16, wdien harems were counted, only 3 were idle. There were 3 quitters or young bulls pres- ent also. The average harem on this rookery was 62.64. On Polovina Cliff, out of 36 bulls present on July 16, none were idle. One young quitter was present in addition. On Little Polovina, on the same date, 12 bulls were stationed and all had cows. There were no quitters. On this rookery the largest average harem on the island was found — 76. 5. This, in connection with the fact that no idle bulls were present, emphasizes a scarcity of bulls in this locality. On the Reef, where harems were counted on July 13, 275 stationed bulls were found. Of these 261 had harems, leaving 14 idle. Had the harems on this rookery been counted three days later a much smaller number of idle bulls probably would have been found. Five quitters were present also. On Tolstoi, out of 143 bulls stationed. 136 were engaged with cows on July 14 and 7 were idle. These idle bulls would have been quit- ters on another rookery, but on Tolstoi, being behind the mass and rather far inland, they were not able on our approach to reach the water without traversing the rookery area and being severely handled by bulls. They retreated only a short distance on our approach and were termed ""idle bulls." On Tolstoi Cliff 35 bulls were stationed on July 14, and all had cows. Three quitters were present on the water line. On Zapadni 200 bulls were found on July 14, and of these 21 were idle, in addition to 7 quitters. '0 ALASKAX SEAL FISHERIES. On Littlo Zapadiii, on July 14, Si hulls were stationed. Of these 78 were occupied with cows and 3 were found idle. There were also 8 (luittors. On Zapadni Reef, on the same date, 82 stationed hulls were found, of which only '1 were idle. There were no quitters. On (rorhatch. out of 124 stationed bulls, only 2 w('r(> idle on duly 18, when hai'enis were counted. Six quitters were j)resent. On Gorl)atch Cliti'. on Juh' 18, of lU bulls found, all were occupied with harems. PERCENTAGE OF IDLE HULLS. It will be seen, thus, that of the whole number of bulls present onl}" a ver\' small number was idle, and in the cases of certain rook- eries there were no idle bulls at the hei(»'ht of the season. The quitters at the climax of the sealino- season are youno- bulls, full of procreative power and desirous of the female, but not yet full}' equipped in either weig-ht or courage. I have noted repeatedly 3'oung bulls with harems which sometimes woidd number a dozen cows pluno-e into the sea at my approach. The possession of cows, how- ever, gives courag-e. and I have been chased repeatedly by young- quitters that previously gave ground, but which had gotton a cow or two and with them the courag'e to tight for a continuance of their possession. A quitter, however, is not a rookery bull until he is in possession of cows. It is not proper to class as an idle bull a young male that pre- sents himself only in a place on the rookery where there are no cows, and therefore where there is no rivalry. The quitter generally sees no service until after the vigilance of the regular bulls is relaxed, and the served cows wander iilmost at will over the rookeries in search of their pups. In determining, therefore, the percentage of idle bulls present at the height of the season no account will be taken of the quitters. A list of these, however, is added for the purpose of showing the full rookery population: Rookery. Ardiguen Amphi Ketovi Lagoon Lukanin Northeast Point Polovina Polovina Cliff.. Little Polovina Reef Tolstoi Cliff .... Zapadni Little Zapartni . Zapadni Reef . . Gorbatcli Gorbatch Cliff.. Tolstoi Total Stationed bulls. Idle, i Quitters. 12 57 25 45 378 1,530 36 1 1 12 275 I 35 14 3 5 3 5 200 81 ' 32 i 10 3 ('1 124' 10 1 ■■^ (j 1 143 ' - \ Per eeut idle. It can 1)6 seen, therefore, that wdthout the inclusion of the quitters or young bulls not stationed only 4.8 per cent of all stationed bulls present were idle at the height of the season on St. Paul. If we were ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. i ^ to include the 44 quitters, the percentage of idle would l)e onl}- 7.5. But as these young bulls not stationed can not be counted upon for service until after the season is over, we must accept the percentage of idle bulls during the breeding season as being only 4.8. IDLE BULLS MARK THE SAFETY LIMIT. In my report for 1!:M)3 I stated that the presence or absence of idle bulls w^as the only means of proving whether or not there is a suffi- ciency of male life: With a number of idle bulls present we are certain tluit the powers of the harem masters are not unduly taxed. ?"hnnnate the idle bulls entirely, however, and w'e are forced to theorize in the treatment of the question whether the number of bulls is sufficient, ani)4 cows estimated: only 8 on Little Palovina. with 8.820 cows counted, and only 7 on Tolstoi, with 5.918 cows estimated, it can be seen that even on the central rookeries, where space for expansion is practical!}' unlimited and where ten years ago thousands of idle bulls were to be found, the number of idle bulls is so small as to be practically unserviceable. SUPPLY OF IDLE BULLS NOT MOBILE. The idle l)ulls present durino- the summer are stationed, and as a rule do not move from their positions until after the harems have broken up. If they were available, as the reserve corps of an army, to be moved f I'om place to place in support of others hard pressed, greater service from them could be secured. But such is not the case. A mass of 1,000 cows might have l)ut a few bulls in its midst upon whom probably I'ookery duties fell heavil3\ while a hundred yards away idle bulls may be found, tenacious of their position, but apparently still waiting for cows to come to them. In this respect the fur seal can not be compared to the wild deer, kine, or horse, the male of w^hich species searches for the female. They can not be compared to any animal, in fact, except that of which the male remains in one spot and is sought by the female. In view of this immobility of stationed bulls, therefore, a healthy condition of the rookeries will require, to my mind, enough surplus bulls that they may be stationed at intervals over the entire length of the rookeries to take advantage of the tirst sympk)m of weakness in a harem master, and by worsting him in battle gain possession of his harem. This, in my opinion, is the normal condition which must exist in nature, and is the condition which as nearly as possible should be maintained on the rookeries under the supervision of man. BACHELORS ON BREEDING GROUNDS. There were so few bulls on certain rookeries on St. Paul Island this summer that, b}' reason of their scarcity, the harems were broken up before the usual period, and bachelors were able to haul among the cows. This occurred at a date when these young seals should have been excluded from the breeding grounds by vigilant bulls, and been forced to haul up, if they desired to haul at all, only on the bachelors haul- ing ground. This condition, in our opinion, is due to the scarcity of breeding males on the rookeries generally, and to their being so taxed in special localities with the service of the cows that they were unable or unwill- ing to drive out the bachelors. Had idle bulls been sufiicientl}' numer- ous this condition would not have occurred. ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES, 79 EVIDENCES OF SCARCITY OF BULLS. The decrease iir bulls, as compared with previous seasons, was early known by our dail}' counts. A\'hen harems were counted on St. Paul Island by Mr. Judge and myself this summer, it was noted that less ditiiculty was experienced by us from vicious bulls than ever before. In counting harems it is necessary often to obtain a position com- manding as well a good view of beach line and plateau. These posi- tions are usually surrounded by bulls with harems. To gain them it is necessary to drive offi.these bulls, and to hold them away during the few minutes necessary to complete the count in that locality. This is done bv means of several agile native men and light bamboo poles about 10 feet in length. In thus going among the bulls more or less difficulty is encountered. Several years ago certain vantage points on the Reef, Tolstoi, and Zapadni points were al)solutely unattainable by reason of the number and aggressiveness of bulls present. This year no trouble whatever was experienced in reaching these points. Where hitherto we were obliged to drive bulls off, in certain places none were encountered. In others we went directly into the mass of bulls with the aid of only two boys, and could stand there without any serious clanger. In masses little aggressiveness was found. As contrasted with our experience of past 3'ears, this condition was so unusual as to cause immediate remark. CONDITION AT NORTHEAST POINT. A large mass of seals has always been present at Northeast Point, under Hutchinson Hill. Harems on this rookery were counted July 16, a date when compactness in the rookery formation should be greatest. It was surprising, therefore, to see at this time cows scat- tered loosely all over the sand flat under the hill, the disintegrated mass extending from the beach line back to the hill. At tirst glance this was attributed to the heavy rain falling at the time, creating pud- dles of filthy slime, and supposedly causing the cows to scatter out in search of firmer ground. As I was taking photographs of the rookeries 1 went ahead to make the necessar}' exposures before the formation of the cows should be disturbed by the counting of the harems. Mr. Judge followed with two natives and made the count. He stated that the bulls were practi- cally docile and that no trouble was experienced in penetrating the mass of seals. He stated, also, that in his opinion the bulls were taxed to such an extent as to have virtually lost control of the breeding grounds, and that this was the reason for their unusual amiability. He noted also that a great proportion of the supposed cows scattered about were bachelors. On July 20 we again visited the point to kill seals as well as to ob- serve the mass and to take additional photographs. On tliat date the mass had the same loose appearance as on the 16th. No bachelors could be seen on the usual hauling grounds on either side of the hill from which the drive was to be made the following day. Although a close inspection could not be made without the risk of stampeding what seals were there, from the top of the hill bacheloi-s could be seen among the cows, especially the branded ones, their shaved heads being conspicuous marks. 80 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. On the next day, July 21, a drive was made from tliis rooker}- and no bachelors were gotten from the haulino- ijrounds under Hutchinson Hill. A small drive was secured from two other hauling- orounds, from which oidy lOi) skins were taken and 234 seals dismissed. The insio-iiiticance of tiiis killing from t\w largest rookery on the island, at a sesison of the year when small bachelors are supposed to be most plentifid on land, and when a thousand seals in a drive would not have l)een unusual, was startling. This failure of bachelors on the hauling ground was looked upon as a verification of the result of our observations on the 16th. As the rookery now could be inspected closely without danger of stampeding killable seals, Mr. Judge and Mr. Redpath, the latter going at my request while 1 counted skins in the salt house, went to Hutchinson Hill to make a critical examination of the V)ody of seals hauled under it. The situation found can best be described by quoting from Mr. Judge's notes: The bachelors could be seen in considerable nuniljers at the foot of the hill and along both sides of the triangle forming the mass. Bulls were ver_v scarce. Only 1 bull was on the hill. He had a harem of 12 cows. No other bull was within 100 feet of the liase of the hill. Cows, pups, and bachelors were huddled together. The bachelors are cleaner than the cows, and generally show silvery breasts, while cows show breasts of dirty yellow. Bachelors i)lay a good deal, while there is very little playing among the cows. Seven branded bachelors were observed among the lot. At close range the. bachelors were more easily distinguished. There is no doubt in my mind that the number of bachelors mixed with the cows under Hutchinson Hill exceeded those driven this morning, namely, 843 of all sizes. Mr. Redpath was of the opinion that most of the bachelors seen would have been under size for killing. The result of the investigation by Mr. Judge and Mr. Redpath ver- ified the conclusion reached on the 16th, that the bulls, being few in numbers, were overtaxed, and had lost control of the breeding ground. Taking advantage of this condition, the bachelors had hauled among the cows, which accounted for the smallness of the drive on the 21st. The absolute necessity for the presence of idle bulls is here empha- sized. Had there been enough of this class present the places of overtaxed bulls would have been usurped, and the rookery discipline maintained wnth even increased vigor. At this particular point, however, there were no idle bulls. CONDITION ON OTHER ROOKERIES. Having found this situation to exist at Northeast Point, it was thought possible that perhaps the same existed at Polovina and Tolstoi, from which rookeries practically no bachelors have been driven for several years. A stop was made at Polovina on our way from Northeast Point on the 21st, and Messrs. Judge and Redpath and myself visited that rookery. We were not able to verify our assumption with regard to this rookery. By reason of the flatness of the approach to it, only the rearmost harems could be inspected, and those only with caution, lest the cows be stampeded. While we found six 2- year-old bachelors in two small harems at the rear, we found also the harem formations to be much better preserved than at Hutchinson Hill. The bulls seemed active in preventing the escape of the cows and in rounding them up into their harems. ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 81 The fact, however, remains that onl}^ 3 idle bulls were found on this rookery at the heioht of the season. That the bulls present with cows were still a'ble to maintain their harems on the 21st is more a tribute to their vitalit}' than proof that enough adult males were present. On the 23d Mr. Judge examined Reef rookery. He found that the bachelors there were hauling by themselves, and did not see any evi- dences of w^eakness in bulls. On the 24:th Mr. Judge \isited Tolstoi to discover whether bache- lors were present there iimong the cows. He found, he stated, at least one-fourth of the supposed cows present to consist of bachelors, which, as we believe, are permitted to haul among the cows by reason of the absence of idle bulls, which, even at this late date, would be eager to preserve the harems intact. SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS CONDITION. This condition apparent at Hutchinson Hill and at Tolstoi (although in a greater degree at the lirst-mentioned place) gives us, so far as we know, the first intimation that at certain localities on the isl^ind bulls are not present in sufficient numbers to maintain a first-class rookery service. This situation, in the cases noted, carries with it its own remed3\ The scarcity of bulls allows the bachelors and half-bulls to mingle with the cows. These young animals. 3 j'ears of age and over, are competent to perform the functions of procreation. . Their presence among the cows, in my opinion, insures service to all cows in heat not reached at once b}^ a bull. PRESENT REGULATIONS AMPLE. The present scarcity of bulls is attributable directly to close killing on land, from which not enough bachelors were allowed to escape from the killing fields to maintain the requisite proportion of bulls. For the last two 3'ears, however, regulations have been in force on the islands as the result of which a considerable number of bachelors are exempted from killing and allowed to escape. The animals thus saved are not old enough to appear upon the rookeries. It will be necessary for two more years to elapse before these animals may be counted upon. From that time, however, with the continuance of the regulations, it is believed that an ample supply of bulls will be present. PRESENT REGULATIONS SHOULD BE CONTINUED. Since it appears that a scarcit}^ of bulls is threatened on the islands, and, in fact, has occurred actually on several of the rooker}^ spaces on St. Paul, any change in the present regulations looking to a lessening of the restrictions placed on killing on the islands would be wholly unwise. The result of these regulations can not be felt before 1907, as has in effect been stated. During the interval which must elapse before that time a steady decrease in bulls will be encountered. The closest killing on land occurred during the seasons of 1902 and 1903. In the latter season the lessees released from the drives on St. Paul only 983 small seals. This practical annihilation of bachelors for this year will be felt on the rookeries four years thereafter, or in 1907. S. Doc. 98—05 6 82 ALASKAN SEAL FISHP^RIES. Since we are obliged to face in 19(M) and lyoT this extra heavy decrease occurrino- from the closer killing in 11»0'2 and 19(13, no reduc- tion in the nnniber of l)achelor8 now saved on the islands should be made until (he rookeries themselves show an influx of male life suffi- cient to more than offset the yearly mortality. SIMILAR CONDITION ON RUSSIAN ISLANDS. The condition of a scarcity of bulls on certain rookeries and the presence of bachelors among the cows has existed on the Russian Com- mander Islands for years. On the rookei'ies of Bering Island it has been the practice, in obtain- ing bachelors for killing, to drive ofl' the entire rookery in order to pick out the bachelors from among the cows and pups. It is stated ]\v Doctor Stejneger. in his report on the Commander Islands (Kept. Fur Seal Inves., pt. 4, p. -I'l'I). that this is no new feature due to the decrease in seals, and that Hie same thing took place in 1882 and 1888, in the palmiest days of the sealing business. It must not be overlooked, however, that the rookeries on which Doctor Stejneger states this unusual driving occurs in recent years have had few bulls and a large average harem. On page 99 of the report cited it is stated that m the drive of North Rookery. August 22, 1895. 3. ()()<» cows and only 8 bulls were driven. While this was so late in the season as to form no idea as to the number of bulls present at the season's height, it shows, at least, that bulls there were very scarce. On South Rookery in July, 1897, on this same island, Doctor Stej- neger counted 520 cows and only 2 bulls. While not desiring to oppose Doctor Stejneger's theory that a suffi- ciency of bulls was present on these rookeries, I desire to point out that the presence of bachelors among cows is found coincident with a scarcity of bulls on both the Commander and the Pribilof islands. Wi-thout hazarding any opinion as to the cause of this condition on the Conmiander Islands, oiir judgment is that on the Pribilofs the presence of bachelors among cows in such unusual numbers is due to a scarcity of bulls. LIMIT TO PROCREATIVE POWER OF BULLS. Much has been said of the wonderful procreative power of bulls, and the theory has been advanced that a bull can serve without dis- comfort as many cows as he is able to get aaid hold. Our experience this summer has convinced us that there is a limit to a bull's capacity, and that the bulls on the rookeries at the height of the season had come nearer to reaching it than ever before in our knowledge. When it w,as possible on fluly 13 to penetrate the mass of breeding seals on the reef, and on July 11 that on Zapadni, meeting with no more opposition than could be met successfully by two men armed with light poles, it must be believed that the luills at these places were taxed to such a limit as to be shorn of most of their aggressive- ness. On Julv 16 Mr. Judge with two men went through the mass under Hutchinson Hill on the plateau near the shore line, and experi- enced but little trouble. To have done this live years ago with the same mass would have been impossible. ALASKAN SEAL FIBHEEIES. 83 ALL COWS WERE SERVED. There is no intention to convey the meaning that the cows on the Pribilofs suffered ,f roui hick of service. No evidence to that effect could be found. The presence of bachelors among the cows is an additional assurance that none were suffered to go without impregna- tion. It is intended to show only that in performing rookery service this 3'ear the harem masters were put to greater exertion than before observed bj^ us. This, taken in connection with the lack of a sufficiency of idle bulls, demonstrates that the regulations of the Department restricting kill- ing should be rigidly enforced in their present state, until such time as the rookeries show a greater proportion of bulls present. CENSUS OF NATIVE INHABITANTS. Censuses of both islands, taken June 30, 1905, are herewith sub- mitted as exhibits. That of St. Paul shows 164 actual residents, of which 82 are males and 82 females. Seven deaths and 8 births occurred during the year. There were 2 departures and -1 arrivals, making a net increase in popu- lation on St. Paul of 3 individuals. The census of St. George shows 89 actual residents. During the year 5 deaths and no births occurred on the island. One native arrived from St. Paul and 2 natives departed to reside on St. Paul. The cen- sus of St. George, therefore, shows a net decrease in the population during the year of (5 individuals. The total population of both islands, taken from the above censuses, is 253 actual residents, a decrease of 3 from those of 1901. DIVISION OF NATIVE EARNINGS. The earnings of the St. Paul natives during the season ended Au- gust, 1905, for taking 13,000 fur-seal skins at 50 cents each, and 8 sea- lion skins at $2 each, were $6,516, which sum was divided among the native sealers in the manner detailed in the exhibit hereto attached, marked "Division of natives' earnings, St. Paul Island, Alaska, season of 1905." The amounts allotted to each sealer, as noted on the divi- sion, have been placed to the credit of each, respectively, and are being disbursed for the purchase of articles necessary to their maintenance on orders issued b}' the Government agent. The earnings of the St. George natives for taking 258 blue-fox skins at ^5 each and 10 white-fox skins at $1 each, during the season of 1901-5, amounted to $1,300. Their earnings during the same season for taking 1,368 seal skins at 50 cents a skin amounted to $684. These amounts are being disbursed for maintenance in the same manner as the earnings on St. Paul. A copy of the St. George seal division is submitted herewith as an exhibit. The fox division is to be found as an exhibit to Agent Judge's report, which is also attached as an exhibit. APPORTIONMENT OF GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATION. The appropriation of 119,500 made by the Government for the sup- port of these natives during the fiscal year 1906, after deducting |9,625 for 385 tons of coal to be delivered during that period, was 84 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. apportioned bctweon the two islands l)y allotting- ^5,210 to St. Paul and i^4:,H()5 to St. George. The deduction for coal was made at the rate of ^25 per ton, at which rate I was instructed M' the Department to anticipate payment. As I understand, the Department has since tixed a rate of ^20 a ton, the difference of $l.'.'2o on the amount ordered, caused by the reduction of the rate by $5 a ton, will be used for tlie purciiase of articles needed by the natives, but of which they are now deprived by this threatened increase in the price of coal. In the middle of March, 1905, the natives' supply of coal on St. Paul, which was required to last them until the following June, was reduced to about 20 tons. The natives after 'that date were required to gather driftwood to heat their dwellings until the arrival of the company's vessel in June. company's expenditures under lease. Under that portion of the Department's instructions to me whereby I am directed to obtain from the lessee of the sealing right a statement of its expenditures in complying with that portion of its contract requir- ing it to provide schools, dwellings, houses of worship, and physicians and medical attendance for the native inhabitants of the seal islands and the necessaries of life for "widows, orphans, aged and inlirm inhabitants" of the same, I requested the general agent of the lessee, Mr. Redpath, to furnish me with the necessar}^ data on the subject. That for St. George Island was delivered to Agent Chichester, on that island, and by him transmitted to me. It is herewith inclosed as an exhibit. The statement for St. Paul was promised. Not being forthcoming at the time of the departure of the company's vessel, in August, 1 made a second request, in person, for its delivery. I was informed in reph% l)}^ Mr. Davis, the lessee company's secretar}', who was on St. Paul at the time, that the data necessary to make the statement would be sent to the company's office at San Francisco, and the report fur- nished me there. Upon my arrival at San Francisco I requested Mr. Taylor to fur- nish me with the information, which he agreed to do. He stated that he would forward the same at his earliest opportunit5\ Not having received the data mentioned on October 12, I addressed a formal letter to the president of the North American Commercial Compan3% requesting to be furnished with the statement desired by the Department, to which no reply has been received. A cop}^ of mj' letter to the company is hereto attached as an exhibit. PHOTOGRAPHS OF ROOKERIES. Photographs of the rookeries were taken this summer on either island and the plates forwarded to the Department. It is regretted that the rain and fog, present to an unusual degree on the islands at the height of the season, interfered with the quality of some of the nega- tives obtained. FOXES ON THE ISLANDS. No trapping of foxes was allowed on St. Paul Island during the winter of 1904-5, owing to their extreme scarcity. During the past two winters fox life on St. Paul has undoubtedly ALA8KAJSr SEAL FISHERIES. 85 been at a lower ebb than at any time in the island's history. \A'arrens and fox trails are deserted. A solitary fox track was seen here and there in the snow during the last winter. No foxes were seen around the village. No feeding- could be done, had it been attempted, for no foxes were seen to feed. During the summer just passed, however, foxes on St. Paul could be seen in comparatively larger numbers. In our trips to Zapadni and Northeast Point several foxes could be seen on ever}- trip. One white fox shot by me during the winter on the reef was thickly covered with blubber and had a stomach full of arrie feathers. It is believed that the nucleus remaining on the island has sufficient food and is increasing in number>s. It is not known when trapping on kSt. Paul can again be taken up. The fox question on St. George is ably dealt with in the report of Agent Judge, herewith submitted. I can do no better than to refer the Department to his report for information as to the condition of fox life on that island. During the earl}" portion of the winter of 1904-5 natives visited Otter Island, and after a week's trapping returned with the pelts of 31 blue foxes and 2 whites. The natives report that they did not kill all the foxes on that island. No trapping has been done on Otter Island since 1894, when, as I understand, all foxes there at that time were killed. Those killed there last winter probably reached there from St. Paul on the northern drift ice. LIST OF EXHIBITS. The following list of exhibits to this report is appended for reference: No. 1. Report of Agent James Judge, St. George, 1905. No. 2. Annual statement seals killed, St. Paul, 1905. No. 3. Certificate of sealskins shipped, St. Paul, 1905. No. 4. Weights of sealskins taken, St. Paul, 1905. No. 5. Counts of rookeries, St. Paul, 1905. No. 6. Statistics of killings, St. Paul, 1905. No. 7. Census of native inhabitants, St. Paul, 1905. No. 8. Division of natives' earnings, St. Paul, 1905. No. 9. Cop}^ of letter requesting statistics, St. Paul, 1905. No. 10. Annual statement seals killed, St. George, 1905. No. 11. Weights of sealskins taken, St. George, 1905. No. 12. Counts of rookeries, St. George, 1905. No. 13. Seals released from drives, St. George, 1905. No. 14. Statistics of branding, St. George, 1905. No. 15. Counts of live pups, St. George, 1905. No. 16. Seal division, natives' earnings, St. George, 1905. No. 17. Census of native inhabitants, St. George, 1905. No. 18. Expenditures by company for support natives, St. George, 1905. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent hi Charge Seal Islands. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor. 86 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. EXHIIUT 1. KEI'ORT OF AGENT .lAMES JUDGE. St. Geokge Island, Junes, ly05. Dear Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of affairs on St. George Island, covering the interval from August 14, 1904, to date: On October 7 Little East Rookery was carefully gone over for the purpose of counting dead pups, but none were found. At that season foxes in greater or less numbers are always present on the rookeries and quickly eat the pups or older animals that may hapi)en to die. Pup skulls were frequently found during Sei)temlier in the rear of the rookeries, where they had undoubtedly been left by the foxes, the bodies having been devoured. Further counting of dead pups was therefore not attempted, as it seemed a disturb- ance of the seals to no good purpose. The first food drive was made October 19; killed 59; dismissed 6 large, 197 small, and 6 brands. Two of the latter were from St. Paul. While all brands were very faint, those made with shears were less discernible than those made with hot irons. Just the slightest trace of a brand on one of the dead informed us that the wrong animal had been knocked down. The skin weighed 8 pounds. That other 3-year- olds branded in the spring, on which the fur had grown out so that the brand had become obliterated, were also killed is more than probable, as 69 per cent of the dead skins weighed 7 pounds and over, the heaviest weighing 9 pounds. The average of this class of animals killed from the 20th to the 30th of last July was 43 per cent, while that on St. Paul during the entire sealing season was only 34 per cent. The paucity of branded seals in the drive as compared with drives made in July lead to the same conclusion. (See statistics regular killing for quota 1904.) At all subsequent killings I endeavored to restrict the slaughter to 2-year-olds, with considerable success. October 24 a food drive was made from East rookery and 30 killed. Among this lot 2 skins were found that had been branded, but the brands were too faint for detec- tion while the animal was alive. These skins weighed 6| jwunds each. That other branded 2-year-olds on which the brands had entirely disappeared were killed during the autumn is more than probable, but for this there was no apparent remedy without a radical revision of the rules governing sizes. To remove all possibility of kilHng branded seals in the fall on which the brands have become indistinct it will be necessary to prohibit the slaughter of any animal the skin of which weighs over 6 pounds. This will confine the killing to animals with skins weighing not less than 5^ nor more than 6 pounds. Such a rule is hardly practicable. In my opinion, however, a relaxation of the minimum rule as regards weights of skins should be permitted at food killings on St. George. Out of 197 small dismissed October 19 only 21, so far as I could judge, were yearlings. The natives had had nO' fresh meat since July 30, and I think that in justice to them they should have been permitted to have killed some of the 176 small 2-year-olds turned off, even if the skins fell somewhat below b\ pounds. None of the meat secured on this island in the fall is wasted; every pound of it is carefully saved. A sharp lookout is kept for all avail- able seals in the vicinity of the village, and in addition the natives make trips to Zapadni, kill what seals are found, and carry the meat on their backs to the village, a distance of over 5 miles. Presuming that branding of bachelors is to continue, a rule fixing a maximum weight of 7 pounds for food skins taken in the fall would save the 3-year-olds, which I take to be the all-important ol)ject. The number of seals to be killed by the natives of St. George for food should not be less than 500 per annum, though it is doubtful if such number with men'hantable pelts could be secured. The number determined on last year for food for the natives of this island, viz, 300, is inadequate and insufiicient. I do not object to limiting the total killing on the island, but simply wish to enlarge the number that may be killed in the fall for autumn and winter use. The natives should be given all the latitude possible for securing a liberal supply of meat, the company taking such number of skins the following sunnner as will complete its quota if it can be done. Fifty-three skins were taken November 3 and 25 November 4. These animals were culled out by the natives from among the cows and pups on the rookeries. Branded bachelors were not observed on either occasion ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 87 nor at any time thereafter. Small pods of seals were taken at intervals nntil Novem- ber 23, when 10 were secured at Staraya Artel. The total fall killing was 235, which comprises all seal meat the natives have had since last July. Fof weights of skins as taken at the different killings see Exhibit A. On May 16, after these skins had laid in salt all winter and were therefore in about the condition they will reach market, I reweighed them on a scoop scale and also measured them, with the following results: Skins. Weight. Length. Breadth. Circum- ference. Lbs. oz. Inches. Inches. Inches. 4.... 4 14 dU 24i 964 3.... 4 15 .33 24i 98 2.... 5 37i 25 107 1.... 5 1 34 25 103 1.... 5 3 33 25 98 4.... 5 4 m 25 104i 4.... 5 5 35i 26J 105* 5.... 5 6 32| 254 100 5.... 5 7 35| 261 105 8.... 5 8 351 25j 1021 10.... 5 9 34 26,^ 101^ 5.... 5 10 35§ 25" 105 3.... 5 11 Mi 26| 103i 12.... 5 12 34t% 26t% IO4J5 5.... 5 14 36i 254 105 4.... 5 15 38 25i 1081 5.... 5 13 37 25| 107 15.... 6 35i's 26t\ Wh% 3.... 6 1 36i 27i 107 9.... 6 2 35J 26| 1041 6.... 6 3 35i 26i 1061 8.... 6 4 35J 251 I04i 6.... 6 5 36i 28| 109i 4.... 6 7 35f 105 7.... 8 36 263 104^ 3-... 6 9 37i 26| 109| 3.... 6 10 351 27J 107 5.... 6 11 35 26^ 105 12.... 6 12 ■d6f^ 28i% 109 2 6 13 36 28 108 S.'.'.'. 6 14 39i 271 112J 3.... 6 15 35| 29i llOi 9.... 7 36§ 288 109i 1.... 7 1 35 25 105 7.... 7 2 37^ 24f 108^ 1.... 7 3 38 28 106 7 7 4 36f 28f lllf 4!!!.' 7 5 m 28| 112 J 2.... 7 7 39 27i llOi 4.... 7 8 38 27i 112 3.... 7 9 351 29 109 1.... 7 10 38 28 114 1.... 7 11 39 27 110 4.... 7 12 39 29 113i 5 7 13 37| 27-1 llOi 1.... 7 14 39 29 112 1.... 7 15 43 31 125 1.... 8 2 38 28 113 1.... 8 7 38 27 110 1.... 8 8 42 31 126 1.... 9 41 31 118 6.... 6 6 361 27i 108 The above includes one 5-pound skin taken from an animal found dead in August. In this work I was assisted by the natives. The skins were stretched on an impro- vised table, and in measuring for length a tapeline was run down the middle from the neck to base of tail, for breadth across both flipper holes, and for circumference the outer edge was taken. Considerable disparity is found between the different weights and corresponding circumferences showing that the heavier skin is not always the larger one, nor is it necessarily taken from an older animal. In fact, it appears that the weights of skins as taken on the island only approximate the ages of the animals slaughtered, as it is quite possible for the skins of different animals of the same age to vary greatly in weight, depending on the amount of blubber adhering to the pelt. The company have a set of linen patterns which profess to represent the average size of the different skins sold in London for four years, ending with 1895, giving 88 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIKS. weights and trade naiiies. Doctor Mills and I ironed thewe patterns, and measured them in the same way the skins were measured, with the following results: Trade names. Middlings Middlings and small Smalls Large pups Middling pups Small pups Extra small pups Weights. Length. Breadth. Lbs. Oz. Inches. Inches. 14 61 34 11 46i 32i 9 4 40 29i 7 14 39 26J 7 36 26 1 () 34 24 4 12 30i 22J Circum- ference. Inches. 134 127 lie. 108 104 95 87 Bj' comparing the above measurements with that shown in the tables on pages 4 and 5 it will be seen that in trade nomenclature none of the class which would be desig- nated extra small pups were killed last fall, neither were any so-called middlings, and only two that would go into the class middlings and smalls. More of the latter designation would have been secured had the killing of large animals not been cur- tailed, as explained on page 2. ^^While the facilities at the salt house for measuring the skins were meager, the gen- eral correctness of the results obtained is verified by the table shown on page 5 and also by a similar table prepared by Lampson & Co. in 1892, to be found in volume 8, page 917, Fur-Seal Arbitration. In assorting fur seals for size the above firm is guided mainly l^v the measurement. (Ibid., 916.) The total weight of the skins as taken last autumn was 1,531 pounds, that in May 1,488, showing an apparent loss of 43 pounds while in salt. The scales used in the fall were small spring balances registering nothing less than a quarter pound. In tak- ing the M'eights and measurements in May I wanted to be as correct as possible, and to that end borrowed the store scales, which registered ounces. These scales, however, had been here a long time and, besides needing constant attention to keep them balanced, were not very sensitive. Much of the apparent dif- ference in weight is therefore in reality a difference in scales. Early in December the rookeries were deserted, but considerable numbers of seals could be seen in the adjacent water until Christmas. Occasionally during the win- ter the natives reported having seen a seal in the ocean. The earliest bulls this season arrived — one on North and another on Zapadni— May 2. One arrived on East May 3, one on Little East May 6, and one on Staraya Artel May 7. Two bachelors, the first of the season, hauled on East Rookery May 14. The rookery population June 3 was as follows: Bulls. Quitters. Bachelors. Bulls. Quitters. Bachelors. North 73 35 12 6 3 1 20 30 Little East Stajaya Artel 14 29 33 East 4 4 10 East Reef At the corresponding date of 1904 North Rookery had 100 bulls and East Reef 20. The diminution on the other rookeries is less marked. The regular feerovided at the barn and fox house in which the foxes, as caught, were confined until my arrival in order that all foxes caught should pass under my inspection. There being no such rooms two years ago, I was obliged to confine my attention to the fox house, trusting to the natives the work at the village; while the foxes caught at both places were branded and dismissed at once, many of them evidently to return forthwith and be immedi- ately recaptured. My plan was to visit both places every two hours while foxing was on, so that the confinement should in no case exceed that length of time. It was -generally shorter. There is nothing cruel in the weighing nor did the full two-hour confinement seem to distress them. The presence of a lantern in the room with the foxes caused them, with very few exceptions, to lie perfectly quiet until the time for handling arrived, when they showed plenty of spirit. Both the age and live weight of every animal caught on and after December 16- were noted in the manner indicated and recorded in a book which I opened. The system of feeding and trapping foxes now in vogue has been in operation con- tinuously since 1897. All data concerning the number of foxes that have been killed or dismissed for breeding purposes since that time is scattered through the different official journals kept in this office, which makes the looking up of those matters a cumbrous and difficult proceeding. The aforesaid book is designed to- remedy that defect by providing a permanent and concise record of the essential points in the fox business, and it should, in my judgment, be continued by succeed- ing agents in this office. It comprises a full statement of foxes caught and killed ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 91 or dismissed as breeders, together with a record of the approximate ages and weights in each class, the respective data being carefully segregated. The actual live wights of all males branded and dismissed as breeders since December 14 were as follows: Weight 1 Weight Weight 1 Weight Foxes. in Foxes. in Foxes. in Foxes. in pounds. pounds. pounds. pounds. 13 10 11 11» 12 131 2 16 5 lOi 21 12 i 1 13? 1 m 9 lOi 3 12i 7 14 1 m 13- 10* 15 12i 3 14i 1 20 28 11 13 12f m 6 Hi 14 13 1 15 198 11 Hi 5 13i 1 m Live weights of females branded and dismissed as breeders subsequent to December 14 were as follows: Weight Weight Weight Weight Foxes. in Foxes. m Foxes. in Foxes. m pounds. pounds. pounds. pounds. 9 7i 6 10* 18 9 1 14i 9 "ii 13 11 6 9j 1 14i 16 8 3 llf 22 9i 2 15 14 8i 8 12 11 9* 1 i5i 24 8i 1 12i 19 10 3 lU 15 8* 1 12* 13 lOi • 4 lU 2 lOi 2 13 1 13i 225 Autopsies were held on all foxes killed either at the stable or fox house during the entire season at which the weights of the dead animals were taken. From the data thus, obtained compared with the live weights of particular animals I was able to estimate with considerable accuracy the weights of the animals killed prior to December 14. Such estimate, together with the actual weights obtained of the males that were killed after that date, will be found in the following table: Weight Weight Weight Weight Foxes. m Foxes. in Foxes. in Foxes. m pounds. pounds. pounds. pounds. 2 6 5 9i 1 Hi 4 16 5 7 20 9i 3 11* 1 16i 2 7j 3 9* 1 Hi 1 18 5 7i 19 10 3 12 1 18i 2 7* 8 lOi 2 12i 2 19i 6 4 8 8i 8 25 lOi 9 1 1 13 13i 180 16 8i 5 10* 4 14 12 8* 6 11 2 14* The actual weights of females killed after December 14, with the estimated weights of those killed prior to that date, were as follows: Num- ber of foxes. " Weight in pounds. Num- ber of foxes. Weight in pound.s. Num- ber of foxes. Weight in pounds. Num- ber of foxes. Weight in pounds. 1 9 4 9 3 14 5* 6 6i 6i 6* 7 3 6 6 2 8 4 7i 8 8i 8i 9 6 1 9i 10 1 1 12i 13i 3 11 86 2 2 Hi 12 92 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. Prior to turning the skins over to the company all were mt-asured, witli the follow- ing results in inches: 180 blue males. 5 white nmles. . 80 blue leiuales 5 white females Average breadth. Average length of tail. US m 16j^ 14i Two years ago I measured the skins of 33 male.s and 54 females, the average of same being somewhat larger than those herewith presented. (See my report for 1903. ) Along toward the end of the season the skins of 11 foxes, of which the age and live weights were known, were marked so that they could be identified when dried. The following table gives the age and Weight of those 11, with corresponding measurement: Males. Females. 1 year old. 2 years old. Over 3 years old. 1 year old. 1 be C 0) J3 _hJ3 '3 53 « 5 "53 G 1-3 PQ so S ►J .5 ■S i « 10 11 8i 9 7J 28 29 30 26 11 12 10 11 8 ' 9i H 11 31 31 29 30 12 12 10 11 12 31 13 6i 28 30 None of these animals was very old. The largest skin was taken from the heaviest animal. Among the yearlings and 2-year-olds the latter generally produced the larger pelt. An 8-pound 2-year-old had a larger skin tlian one of equal age weighing 11 pounds. The data are, of course, insufficient in quantity for the basing of any gen- eral conclusions as to the relations existing between the live weight of the beast and the size of its skin. Apparently the one is not dependent upon the other. Nor does the largest animal produce the best fur. The company agent assured me that the two skins taken at Zapadni were the best of the catch. Those skins weighed, accord- ing to the natives that killed them, 9 and 9^ pounds, and measured when dried 30 by 12 and 29 by 11 inches, respectively. On the other hand, there can be little doubt that the larger and heavier animals, being well protected with blubber, are better fitted to survive in severe weather than those found to be poor and thin. The latter, therefore, should be killed off and nothing but the choice animals left as breeders. FOX CENSUS. The ages of the different foxes handled were determined bj^ an examination of their teeth. No claim of absolute accuracy is made, but the ages given approximate, in my opinion, as near the animals' true age as it is possible to give. They w^ere as follows: Young or approxi- mately 1 year. Middle aged or approx- imately— Old, over 3 years. Not exam- ined. 2 years. 3 years. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. Male. Z%_ Male.JaTe. Male. Fe- male. Killed 89 68 101 68 112 15 110 19 1 49 32 9 3 ...... 5 Branded Total 80 3 2 169 169 180 125 68 33 9 8 3 2 ALASKAN SEAL FISHEEIES. 93 From this census it appears that of tlie yearlings 169 of eat'li sex, or 838 altogether, went through the traps. The mothers of these 338, which comprise all females above the age of 1 year, numbered 166. This would make an average j>er litter of 2 plus. The season's trapping indicates that the sexes are about equally divided at birth. In my fox census, taken two years ago in the same manner that this has been taken, 322 were fomid that were more than 1 year old. (See my report, July 10, 1903.) The yearlings caught during that season numbered 318, 133 males and 185 females, plus a number of runts estimated at 65 (Ibid. p. 9), which were dismissed without branding. To these nnist be added a great number known to have died of starvation and eating of salt meat (Ibid. pp. 1 to 6), so that neither the proportion of sexes or yield per mother for that year can be determined with any degree of accuracy. So far as I am aware no census was made last year, but as 250 pairs of foxes were turned off in 1903 and the catch in 1904 was 1,061, the yield was 561 or, approxi- mately, 24 per female. Divided as to sex the catch for 1904 was 517 males and 544 females. In these calculations 1 assume that foxes escaping the traps offset the nat- ural mortality among those branded. As will be observed in looking over the above census only 9 males and 8 females were caught that would be considered old. In the census taken two years ago this class numbered 16 males and 92 females. The presence of such a large proportion of old females in the catch of two years ago is due to the fact that during the preced- ing six years females were imnnme from slaughter while the scarcity of such animals last season indicates that the old have been effectively killed off. STOMACHS AND INTESTINES. The contents of stomachs and intestines as developed on post-mortem examination revealed nothing of especial interest beyond that discovered two 'years ago and reported at that time. Fox fur was found in the intestines of three early in the sea- son, but at no other time, which is very good evidence that the foxes were furnished sufficient food, or at least that the living were not devouring the dead, if there were any dead. Evidence of the animals living on the beach was found in 22 instances, the amount being small in every case. There was, owing to the mildness of the winter, but little heavy surf, and in con- sequence, perhaps, less marine food was thrown on the beach than usual. Whale blubber was found in 18 stomachs, but whether it was picked up on the beach or around the natives' houses it is impossible to say. Intestinal worms were quite numerous, being found in 76 cases. They were simi- lar to those found two years ago and delivered to you at that time, with the excep- tion that one of the tapeworms was much larger than any heretofore discovered, measuring 12 inches in length. This worm was preserved, and is at your disposal DECREASE IN FOX LIFE. As already indicated, the total catch was 766; that of the preceding season, 1,061, which shows a diminution of 29 per cent during the interval. This decrease is a serious blow to the fox business. It affects both the number and quality of the skins secured by the company, while the loss to the natives in earnings compared With the preceding year is over $1,000. During the season 1903-4 285 males and 287 females were dismissed as breeders, together with 18 which were considered too small for branding. According to the present census, 257 of those males and 166 females were caught which, being more than 1 year old, are presumed to represent the breeding quota dismissed the prior year. The loss among the breeders during the interval, according to the trapping, which is the only safe guide, is 28 males and 121 females.- That it was a real loss, and that the animals in question are no longer on the island, no one disputes. Neither dying nor dead foxes were observed by anyone on the island, native or white. It fol- lows, of course, that unlike the season of 1902-3, an epidemic among the beasts is neither charged nor suspected. What, then, became of them? There was some ice in the sea which may have caused loss, but whatever such loss was must have been equally divided between the sexes, or nearly so. M}^ opinion is that, in addition to the loss caused by the ice, whatever that amounted to, the foxes disappearing have perished through the inclemency of the weather or lack of sufficient food, and that the dead were soon after devoured by their surviving brethren. That the females should succumb under adverse conditions in greater numbers than the males seems consonant with fox life if we are to believe that the sexes are equal at birth. During the season of 1895-96, when the steel traps 94 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. only were used, the catch was 151 males and 120 females, and the succeeding season the catch was 193 males and I'.V.i females. (See ofiice journal, pp. 50 and 144.) Under the present S3'stem of trapping, which began in 1S97, the females did not equal in number the males caught until the third season, regardless of the fact that during the interval the females were immune from slaughter while two-thirds of the males caught were dispatched. These facts may not ])njve the pro])Ositi(m that the females are less robust or less lit to survive than the males, but it is certainly evidence in that direction. Just what class of females are the first to perish is difficult to say, but my firm opinion is that it comprises the small, poorly nourished ones. FUTURE PRECAUTION. The innovation adopted in 1902, of pairing animals — i. e., of branding and setting at liberty for l)reeding purposes an ecjual number of males and females — has not resulted satisfactorily. It was, I presume, thought that such pairing would put the business upon a more substantial footing, and at the same time permit the slaughter of the females that had accumulated while they were immune from killing during the preceding six years, when males only were killed. The trapping of 1903-4 (1,061 as compared with 1,011 the preceding year) tended to confirm the wisdom of the exper- iment; but last season's experience shows conclusively, to my mind at least, that the slaughter of any healthy female, except for cause, is neither wise nor economic. Unquestionably, fox life on this island was at a lower ebb last autumn thad at any other corresponding time during the past eight years. The abstract c[uestion as to whether or not the animals are polygamous remains undecided. Evidence as to the sexual habits of the foxes is scanty, but what there is tends toward jjolygamy. (See my reports for 1900 and 1903.) I have therefore the honor to reconnnend that in future the proportion of males to females to be left for breeding purposes shall be either one to two or one to three, as shall be thought best, and no male weighing less than 10 pounds or females weigh- ing less than Ih pounds shall be left as breeders. When one thinks what has been effected in recent times by careful and methodical selection, as shown by the different exhibitions of improved quadrupeds and fancy birds, there is every reason to expect an improvement in the size and fur of the blue fox by working along parallel lines. Domestic animals, almost without exception, have undergone improvement in recent years. " By the supply of abundant and nutritious food * * * and by the continuous selection of the heaviest individuals the weight of the larger breeds (rabbits) has been more than doubled." (Animals and Plants under Domestication, Darwin, vol. 1, p. 161.) While the blue fox of St. George Island is not a fully domesticated animal, there can be little doubt that as time goes on the race may be improved and its chance of surviving adverse climatic or other conditions augmented by raising the standard weights of those left as breeders. The trapping is now so arranged that the Depart- ment's agent can with little effort inspect every animal coming into the trap. I would therefore suggest that it be made the specific duty of said agent to personally select the breeding animals. This work, second only to the steady, continuous, and abun- dant feeding of nutritious food, is of great importance, and for obvious reasons should under no circumstances be intrusted to the company agents or employees. SEA LIONS. Two sea lions were killed during the winter by the natives and 3 more in May. The animals killed were mature males, the skins of which were saved for bidarras, while the meat formed a welcome addition to the natives' larders. On May 28 I counted 17 bulls, 30 cowf?, and 4 pups on Sea Lion rookery. School for the native children was in session under a very competent instructor from September 1 to April 28 with the exception of the Christmas, national, and church holidays. The total of such holidays was 18, or nearly the equivalent of one school month. I have no objection to the holidays, but see no reason that the time lost should not be made good. The school year, eight months— in reality only seven — is, in my opinion, too short. While attending school the children receive more care and attention from their parents than they ever do during vacation. I would there- fore request that a definite rule be adopted requiring that all time lost on account of holidays of whatever class be made up, either in advance or at the close of the reg- ular school term, whichever may be most convenient for those concerned. Exhibit D is the report of the teacher, Mr. Edson. ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 95 IMPROVEMENTS. Since my arrival tke natives have built a nice picket fence around the (Tovernment house, besides constructing a large clubroom for themselves, and a house at East Landing for the Government boat. They also built a boat to be used by the com- munity for hunting and fishing at Garden Cove. Both the boat and club houses are called "barabarras," being built the former entirely and the latter partially of driftwood, surrounded and covered with turf. Still they are very comfortable buildings, being well drained, light, and airy, ^luch of the driftwood used involved considerable labor in hewing and whipsawing, but the results more than justified it. The homemade biUiard table, brought from St. Paul, was in constant use at the clubhouse and afforded the natives an unusual amount of amusement. The general conduct and behavior of the natives were extraordi- narily good the entire winter. As noted on page 8, the remains of a right whale came ashore October 1. It car- ried no baleen, the latter having probably been taken out by the whalers who killed the beast. The blubber of this animal is considered very palatable by the natives, who took advantage of its arrival to salt from two to four barrels per family, enough for three years, they said, l)esides great quantities which were hung up outside of their houses. They had no use for the meat, of which there was an enormous amount. After the people were supplied, I had the men save 15 barrels of the blub- ber, which was tried out later, but yielded only 80 gallons of oil. The latter is very nice and I trust can be disposed of to advantage for the benefit of the native library about to be started. In my mail of October 17, 1 received a draft for $120 for theskeletons of two whales found by me near East rookery in June, 1904, and forwarded to the Smithsonian Institute. This money was divided among the natives, as was also $22 received by me in Seattle for 10 fox skins rejected by the company as worthless two years ago. Respectfully submitted. James Judge, Assistant Agent, Departtnent of Commerce and Labor. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in charge Seal Fisheries. Exhibits. Exhibit A. Weights of sealskins, autumn 1904. Exhibit B. Foxes caught, season 1904-5. Exhibit C. Fox division, 1905. Exhibit D. Report of school-teacher, 1905. Exhibit A. — Weights of sealskins taken during autumn of 1904. Date. RooRery. Weight (pounds). 4J. 5. 5i. 5i. 5*. 6. 6i. 6i. 6*. Oct. 19 North and South Ardiguen 2 2 1 1 1 5 6 3 2 1 3 11 6 4 7 3 2 6 7 2 7 22 24 Kov. 3 4 5 9 14 15 18 22 23 Zapadni 1 East 6 North and South Ardiguen East 1 3 1 2 10 2 4 2 North and South Ardiguen 1 3 1 East 1 North and South Ardiguen 2 3 3 Zapadni 1 3 2 ""2 5 6 1 1 1 1 2 2 Starava Artel 1 Total 1 9 5 21 24 28 21 26 25 96 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. Exhibit A. — Weightfi of sealskins taken durimj autumn of li)04 — Continued. Date. Rookery. '' Weight (pounds). - \ 7. 7i. 74. 7*. 8. 8i. 8i. 8». Oct. 19 22 North and South Ardiguen ...j 9 9 I 2 2 1 1 6 1 1 1 3 4 ...... 1 7 2 2 1 2 1 24 East North and South Ardiguen 5 2 1 Nov 3 ' 4 .f Zapadni •■•! 1 9 j 14 East 2 1 1 ! 2 15 18 Zapadni North . 1 22 23 1 Total . . . 21 1 17 13 , 8 11 1 N ■ 1 Exhibit B. — Annual statement of foxes caught on St. George Island, and either killed or dismissed as breeders during season of 1904-5. Location of traps. Killed. Branded. Rebranded. Date. Blue. White. Blue. 2 brands. ^3 brands. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. M^l«-|m^ate. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. 1904. Oct 5 Nov 9 1 4 12 3 2 i 7 1 9 4 \ 2 21 5 21 6 3j 2 21 1 22 2 1 27 do Dec 8 do . . 1 5 11 do 2 5 2 25 2 4 2 1 5 ...... 1 5 2 3 11 1 3 12 7 1 2 2 12 Village 13 3 1 1 1 13 14 Fox house 2 1 1 14 1 16 1 3 3 1 3 2 1 3 ....„ 38 10 2 1 1 16 Village ! ' 18 1 18 .: 26 34 6 1 4 1 •> 4 20 8 6 1 10 '> 33 8 5 7 6 2 1 2 1 26 28 Village 2 1 28 28 .....do 3 1 8 3 6 4 9 3 5 14 8 10 2 8 4 1 cS 11 7 10 3 3 ...... 1 1 29 1 11 2D 10 17 I 29 Village Fox house 3 3 2 2 5 20 14 26 3 6 8 6 f) 1905. Jan. 2 1 1 2 Village 2 3 6 3 Village 2 4 2 1 15 do do do Village do do 2 10 3 1 1 1 2 10 7 1 1 8 4 5 6 3 8 3 3 2 1 5 2 1 ""2 4 9 1 3 ...... 16 3 2 6 1 5 4 ...... 3 2 3 2 2 8 2 3 '2 i 1 1 1 2 17 17 19 20 7 3 5 3 3 2 3 2 3 20 22 .....do 2 1 5 22 23 do 1 ...... '"'i' 1 1 1 23 8 3 4 1 1 24 Zapadni \ 2 1 1 24 j 3 24 ... . 25 do 5 ...... i « Drowned. 6 Injured. ALASKAN SEAL FISHEEIES. 97 Exhibit B. — Annual statement of foxes caught on St. George Island, and either killed or dismissed as breeders during season of 1904-5 — Continued. Killed. Branded. Rebranded. ite. Location of traps. Blue. White. Blue. 2 brands. 3 brands. ^ni Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- Male. Male. Fe- male. 05. Ja^ 25 2 3 1 1 2 3 2 1 1 29 do 29 1 30 East landing a. 1 30 Fox house 1 7 4 1 2 5 6 1 1 1 8 5 4 4 2 1 1 9 5 6 5 6 3 6 30 1 4 31 do 1 31 1 2 Feb. 2 3 Fox house 1 3 15 5 8 4 3 3 Village 4 Total 180 82 5 5 244 250 135 139 68 58 Location of traps. Rebranded. Date. 4 brands. 5 brands. 6 brands. 7 brands. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. 1904. Dec. 14 Fox house :.. 1 16 do 1 28 do 1 1 * 28 Village 29 do 1 2 2 3 1 1906. 3 1 2 3 1 1 1 3 1 1 4 Fox bouse and village Fox house 16 1 1 17 1 20 do 1 1 1 2 22 2 22 23 2 1 1 3 24 do 25 25 1 2 2 i' 1 1 30 do 1 30 3 1 31 do 31 1 Feb. 3 do i i 1 1 2 3 3 1 Total 24 1 22 7 5 1 2 1 a Found in spasms. Exhibit C. — Fox division, season 1904-5. St. George Island, June 1, 1905. By 258 blue fox skins, at $5 $1,290.00 By 10 white fox skins, at $1 10.00 Total 1,300.00 To 13 first-class men, at $59. 10 768. 30 To 6 second-class men, at $47.20 283. 20 To 4 third-class men, at $35. 40 141. 60 To 2 special class 60. 11 Material Garden Cove boat 46. 79 Total 1,300.00 S. Doc. 98—05 7 98 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. FirM-cldss f<]iart'x. — Twenty-one men, at $59.10 each, aw follows: Corniel Gorokof, Steplian Lekanof, Denietri Lestenkof, Michael Lestenkof, Nicoli IMalavansky, George Merculif, Joseph Merculif, Nicoli Merculif, Andronic Philinumof, Gregory Phili- monof, Simeon PhiHinonof, Peter Prokopief, Rev. Peter Kashevarof. Second-class shares. — Six men, at $47.20 each, as follows: John Galanin, Nicoli Nederazof, Manuel Zaharof, Gregory Swetzof, Michael Shane, Walter Kashevarof. ' Third-class shares. — Four men, at $35.40 each, as follows: ]\Iarka Merculif, Demetri Philimonof, Alexander Galanin, Peter Malavansky. Special chhss. — Two men, as follows: Stephan Lekanof, chief, $30.11; Joseph Mer- culif, second chief, $25; Joseph Merculif, hydrant keeper, $5. The division as above made is hereby approved on behalf of the natives of this island. Stephan Lekanof, Fir.9t Chief. Joseph Mekculief, Second Chief. I certify that the amounts indicated herein have been placed to the credit of the respective natives on the books of the North American Commercial Company. The North American Commercial Company, By J. A. Lake, Agent. I certify that the above division was made by me after conference with the native chiefs. James Judge, Agent, U. S. Department of Commerce and Labor. Exhibit D. — Report rjf .school-teacher. North American Commercial Company, St. George Island, Alaska, Ajyril 28, 1905. Sir: Please accept the following as school report for the year ending this day: School has been in session as usual for the eight months between Thursday, Sep- tember 1, 1904, and Friday, April 28, 1905, all children of the required age being in attendance. There has been very little absence during the j^ear, save the six weeks of one pupil caused by a broken bone. Three new pupils began the year, and there were none of age to leave school at the end. The progress of the school during the year just ended has been a satisfactory im- provement upon the two previous years, and in several cases remarkable interest has been taken in the work. Holidays have been observed as usual. I wish to express my thanks for the assistance kindly rendered by Mrs. Judge as musical instructor. Boys attending school 12^ Girls attending school 14 Total 26 Weeks in school year 35 School days 172 Holidays 3 Holidays, Christmas recess 10 Holidays, Russian church 5 Total 18 Number days school in session 154 Absences excused by doctor days. . 41^ Absences excused by Government agent do. . . 85 Absences unexcused do... 5 Total 50 ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. 99 Attendance for year, 26 times 154, minus SOi 3, 953^ Attendance, average daily 25 Respectfully submitted. C. R. Edson, School Teacher, St. George Island. James Judge, Agent, Department Commerce and Labor, in charge of St. George Island. Appendix No. 2. Annual statement of fur seals killed on St. Paul Island, Alaska, during tlie ijear ended August, 1905. Rookery. Number of seals killed for natives' food. Number of seals killed by lessees for skins. Aggregates. Date. 50 C s . to m bo OS ii cS

o 2.S, 1H71 12, IWJ ■1, 1S91 29, 1899 12,1902 10,1904 29, 18i;4 18,-]87(; 8, 1.S9G o, 1898 1,1902 20, 1903 13, 1887 27, 1890 21,1895 29, 1885 .Julv 1,1880 Apr. 1,1874 Ai>r. 2,1902 Mar. 3, 1857 Jan. 17,1865 Julv 2,1887 Dec. 2, 1893 Julv 1,1887 Oct". 31,1882 Clothing supplied by North American Commercial Co. ;> Residing in San Francisco in family of Mr.s. Cox. RECAPITULATION. Number of native inhabitants last census 95 Increase by arrival from St. Paul '. 1 Decrease h'y death ^ Decrease by removal to St. Paul 2 Actual nuniber of resident natives 89 SUMMARY. Number of native families 23 Number of native individtials 89 Number of native males 44 Nuniber of native females 40 Number of native males of 16 years old or over .., 23 Numljcr of native males between 6 and 16 years 14 Number of native males inider G years " Number of native females Ui years old or over 28 Number of native females between C and 16 years 13 Number of native females under 6 years 4 Number of native males of school age '. H Number of native females of school age 13 Number of faiivilies wliolly s\ipported by North .\merican Commercial Co 3 Nmnber of individuals wliolly supported by North American ("ommercial Co 9 Number of individuals clothed by North American Commercial Co 5 Gorerment (uioits