THE HUMPBACK WHALE 87 



The migrations of the Humpback whale, which are fairly well understood, consist of 

 a feeding migration to the south in the southern summer and a breeding migration to 

 the north in the winter. Parturition and pairing occur mainly in tropical and sub- 

 tropical waters. On its northward migration the species regularly crosses the equator, 

 at least on the west coast of Africa, for a distance of about 10^ of latitude. Occasional 

 migration of individuals from the schools of the southern hemisphere to those of the 

 northern hemisphere is extremely probable. 



The great destruction of the stock of Humpback whales during the last thirty years is 

 attributable solely to excessive slaughter both during the feeding and breeding migra- 

 tions. The stock can only return to its former abundance, on which modern whaling 

 in the south was founded, if the Humpback whale is afforded complete and world-wide 

 protection for a long period of years. If, thereafter, the stock is to be maintained, 

 catching would have to be carefully controlled, and restricted to the whaling grounds 

 of the far south. 



