42 CALIFORNIA MAMMALS. 



Delphinus delphis Linn. (Dolphin.) 



COMMON DOLPHIN. 



Form and disposition of color markings very variable; teeth 

 47 — 45 to 50 — 51 ; length about 2265 mm. (90 inches) ; end of 

 jaw to dorsal fin 1000 (40) ; end of jaw to pectoral fin 500 (20) ; 

 heig-ht of dorsal fin 230 (9) ; length of pectoral fin 350 (14) ; 

 breadth of flukes 520 (21). 



"Mr. Dall was unfortunately unable to compare his skele- 

 ton with that of D. delphis, to which species D. bairdii, if distinct, 

 is undoubtedly most clasely allied. From the evidence now ol> 

 tainable I am unable to distinguish between D. delphis and D. 

 bairdi, and must therefore regard the latter as identical with 

 the former." (True). 



Pelagic. Found in most seas. J have a skull picked up on 

 the beach near San Diego, and have seen others. The following 

 is from Captain Scammon's account of Delphinus "bairdii." 



"This Dolphin inhabits the Pacific North American coast, 

 in common with other varieties which abound in these waters. 

 At a distance it much resembles the Common Porpoise of fisher- 

 men antl sailors ; but it differs in serv^eral points from that species. 

 We were so fortunate as to obtain two female specimens off 

 Point Arguello, in the fall of 1872, from wdiich we obtained the 

 following notes. Apparently both individuals were adults, and 

 nearly the same size and weight. The body of Delphinus bairdii 

 is more slender, and its snout more elongated and rounded, than 

 that of the Striped or Common Porpoises, and may be compared 

 to the bill of a snipe. Its teeth are slender, conical and slightly 

 curved inward. Its dorsal fin is more erect and less falcated 

 than that of the Lageuorhynchiis obliqnidens, while its pectorals 

 are nearly the same shape and comparative proportions ; but the 

 caudal fin is less in breadth and greater in proportionate expan- 

 sion. Its back, immediately forward of the dorsal fin, is some- 

 what concave, so that when taking a side view tlie upper contour 

 appears lower before than behind the fin. Its varied colors are, 

 top and sides of head black, sides of body behind the vent and 



