FAUNA OF THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS AND ALASKA PENINSULA 335 



capture of a sei whale among 376 whales taken in Alaska that 

 year. 



Sibbaldus musculus: Blue Whale 



We did not definitely identify a blue whale on our trip. On 

 July 14, 1937, Captain Sellevold believed a number of whales 

 seen spouting near Unalaska were blue whales. A number of this 

 species were taken by the Akutan whaling station that summer, 

 and we were given the head of a fetus for a specimen. 



Megaptera novaeangliae: Humpback Whale 



Aleut (dialect?) : Chi thukh (Turner was uncertain about the application 



of this name.) 



Humpback whales were seen at various times. In 1937, we 

 recorded 1 at Agattu Island, 1 at Semichi, at least 4 (possibly 

 more) at Kiska, and 3 at Amchitka. Sometimes this whale would 

 dive straight down in shallow water, practically stand on its 

 head, then fall over with a resounding splash of its flukes. This 

 action was seen often. 



Family PHYSETERIDAE 



Physeter catodon Sperm Whale 

 Aleut (dialect?) : Agthd gik (Turner) 



Sperm whales were very scarce. One was definitely identified 

 near Kiska Island on June 3, 1937, and they were being taken at 

 the Akutan whaling station. Sperm whales are not difficult to 

 identify, and we felt that most of our identifications were ac- 

 curate. 



Family DELPHINIDAE 



Grampus recti pinna: Pacific Killer Whale 



Attu: A'-ga-ghi-ach 

 Atka: Ah-ga-loh 



Ah'-ga-luch 

 Aleut (dialect?) : Ag-lyuk (Turner) 



In the Atka dialect, the name is very similar to that of the ful- 

 mar. The difference appears to be one of syllable length, or 

 stress, which was not possible to record satisfactorily. 



The killer whale of the Aleutian district clearly shows the 

 white elongated spot posterior to the eye and the gray patch 

 posterior to the dorsal fin. These marks were noted on every 



