16 CALIFORNIA MAMMALS. 



At such times the sea gulls and cormorants alig-ht on the huge 

 beasts. 



"From what data we have been able to obtain the whole 

 number of California Gray Whales which have been captured 

 or destroyed since the bay whaling commenced, in 1846, would 

 not exceed 10,800, and the number which now periodically visit 

 the coast does not exceed 8,000 or 10,000." (This appears to 

 -have been written in 1872.) 



"Many of the marked habits of the California Gray Whale 

 are widely different from tliose of any other species of Balrena. 

 It makes regular migrations from the hot southern latitudes to 

 beyond the Arctic Circle; and in the passage between the ex- 

 tremes of climate it follows the general trend of an irregular coast 

 so near that it is exposed to the attacks of the savage tribes in- 

 liabiting the seashore, who pass much of their time in the canoe, 

 and consider the capture of this singular wanderer a feat worthy 

 of the highest distinction. As it approaches the waters of the 

 torrid zone, it presents an opportunity to the civilized whale- 

 men — at sea, along shore, and in the lagoons — to practice theii 

 different modes of strategy, thus hastening the time of its utter 

 annihilation. This species of whale manifests the greatest af- 

 fection for its young, and seeks the sheltered estuaries lying un- 

 der a tropical sun as if to warm its offspring and promote its 

 comfort, until grown to a size Nature demands for its first north- 

 ern visit." (Scammon.) 



Genus Megaptera Gray. (Large — fin.) 

 IDorsal fin present, low or "hump" like; pectoral fin very long 

 •and narrow; head of moderate size; throat and belly with longi- 

 tudinal furrows; baleen short ; cervical vertebrae free; size large. 



Megaptera nodosa versabilis Cope. (Knotted; capable 

 of being- turned.) 



PACIFIC HUMPBACK WHALE. 



Body short and thick ; a "hump" of variable size and shape 



