1 66 A BOOK OF ~ WHALES 



ever, to be distinguished from the Rorquals proper 

 by its ungainly form and the great length of the 

 pectoral fins (13 feet or so). Its colour is usually 

 black, pure white on the under surface of tail and 

 flipper. 



"In disposition," observes Mr. Lydekker, "it is 

 neither very timorous nor very fierce, and is conse- 

 quently easy to capture." It seems thus to have an 

 intuitive knowledge of the poorness of its oil and the 

 shortness of its "bone." Acting upon this it will 

 swim fearlessly round boats, and when these whales 

 are in herds, as is sometimes the case, some caution 

 has to be exercised to avoid a collision with them. 

 The Humpback is much addicted, remarks Captain 

 Scammon, to "breaching," "bolting," and "finning," 

 which vices mean, it should be explained, leaping 

 out of the water, shooting out diagonally, and striking 

 the water with its flukes. Durincr the breeding 



o o 



season Megaptera is remarkable for " its amorous 

 antics." At such times their caresses are of the most 

 amusing and novel character, and these performances 

 have doubtless given rise to the fabulous tales of the 

 sword-fish and thrasher attacking whales. When 

 lying side by side of each other the megapteras 

 frequently administer alternate blows with their long 

 fins, which love-pats may, on a still day, be heard 

 at a distance of miles. " They may also be seen to 

 roll about in the water and beat themselves with their 

 long flippers ; but this seems to be due to an anxiety 

 to rid themselves of the parasites which infest them." 

 These whales, like others, are also to be noted for 



