146 MAMMALS OF BERMUDA. 



ing to its nature in search of insects; but as it is never seen except at 

 that particular season it is clear that it is not a resident, but merely 

 blown across the ocean by those violent northwest gales which also 

 usually bring numbers of birds from the American continent. 



The geographical range of this species appears to extend all over the 

 continent of America north of Mexico, extending as far north as Red 

 Eiver Settlement in British North America. 



Order CETACEA. 



There are two species of Whales now frequenting the sea surrounding 

 the Bermudas, in spring and early summer, and they are doubtless the 

 same which visited the group in the earliest times of which we possess 

 a record.' Jourdan* has the first account of Whales being observed 

 there in 1610. 



"There are also great plentie whales which I conceive are very easie 

 to be killed for they come so usually and ordinarilie to the shore that 

 wee heard them oftentimes in the night abed and have seen many of 

 them neare the shoare in the day time." 



In Smith's " History of Virginia" (1616), we also find mention of 

 Whales at the Bermudas during the months of January, February, and 

 March. 



Again, in the " Constitucons and Instructions to Mr. Daniel Tucker 

 now chosen Deputie Gounor for the Somer Islands given by the Goue- 

 nor and Companie of the Cittye of London for the said Plantacon" 

 (1616), allusion is made to them. 



"As touchinge the whale fishinge we would have you observe that 

 we have sent John Headland our chief harpeneere, Henry Hughes his 

 mate, and others of his ginge (gang) to whose assistance we ioyne Mr. 

 Wilmott as skillful in that buisness, with such others to help as you 

 shall appointe thereto. And that you omitt noe tyme at yor first com- 

 minge thither to sett upon that worke, consideringe that the whale 

 fishinge will be soe neare spent before you shall come thither." 



It is therefore evident from the foregoing statements that one or more 

 species of these marine mammals regularly visited the islands every 

 spring, and we shall now endeavor to identify those species from the 

 descriptions given by early writers, which are fortunately sufficiently 

 expressive to permit of such determination. 



* A Plain description of the Barmodas, now called Sommer Hands, with the manner 

 of their discouerie anno 1609. By Sylvanus Jourdan. London, 1613. 



