The herald., 1894-08-27

leave, but stay upon the rookeries and
look after their hareme. The males do
not attempt to maintain themselvee
upon the rookeries under seven OF eight
years OF age. as they must have full
growth to enable them to hold their
ground and protect their numerous wives
upon the territory eelected. Each bull
upon rookery will have from three or
four to 80 cows in his family, and he
guards them with the greatest care. If
one attempts 10 escape to Join another
family. she will be brought back very
unceremoniously, and handled quite
roughly during the process. This some
timee leads to bloody encounters be.
tween the bulls"
What is the weight of an average
seal?"
"A full grown bull will weigh, it is
said, from six to eight hundred; but the
cows will not average over one hundred
pounds. This like difference in weight
applies to the seal lion as we'll as the fur
seal. II is said that bull sea lion will
weigh from fifteen hundred to two
thousand pounds, and soms are estimat.
ed at twenty-five hundred; but the
cows weigh--judging from sight-from
five to seven hundred"
ia there grazing on the islands for
cattle ?"
There is grass in abundance. but
there is TOO little sunshine to make nav.
and hence hay for cattle in winter must
be brought there. Undoubtedly rein
deer would thrive we'll there, as even
tie moss upon which they are said to
feed hrgely is plentiful. Apparently it
would be good investment for the gov
eminent to stock the islands with them.
as they would afford fresh meat for the
natives during winter. The govern
ment owns herd at Port Clarence, near
Bering Strait, and they are in O pros
porous condition."
"Are there any wild land animals ON
the islands p
blue foxes only. The islands were
stocked with these by the Russians and
they are plentiful. The season for trap.
ping them is limited, go that not too
many may be taken. Last year the
month OF December was set apart for
trapping, and about $50 were taken in
St. George island alone."
docs the government derive any ben.
eft from them?"
"Only indirectly. The government,
for the past three years, has furnished
the natives supplies when their earnings
were exhsusted. and hence ell the
money paid them for fox pelts benefits
the government indirectly. Until
within few years past the natives re-
ceived only 80 cents each for them.
Afterward, for time, 81 two years ago
the chief treasury agent raised the price
to 50, and last year the chief agent
raised 1t to S."
"What do the foxes live upon?'
'In the summer upon sea birds that
come to the islapds to nest, and their
eggs; and in winter upon sea eggs
(sea urchins) and other food thrown
upon the beach by the sea and besides
they bury eggs in summer for winter
use. BY the way st. George is one OF
the famous islands of the world for birds.
Several small islands in the Aleutian
chain have been leased by individuals
and stocked with blue and silver foxes.
The rent charged by the government ie
but nominal, if anything, for the prea-
ent. and will probably always be small.
As the animals increase rapidly and the
prices are good. the business will pay
any one who chooses to endure the iso-
lation. The Alaska Commercial com.
pany two or three years ago in report
to the government of Alaska quoted blue
fox pelts, on an average. at SIS, and
pelts of the silver fox at $40. The sec-
retary OF the treasury has authority to
issue the leases.
II am delighted with Los Angeles and
the surrounding country" concluded
Captain Hall. "This is not only a very
beautiful city but apparently very pros
porous. Notwithstanding the hard
times buildings are being erected in all
sections OF the city and many of them.
cured: and success is msrited by the
business energy and progressive spirit of
its citizens"