30 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 



been well judged, the whale may come to the surface almost under the 

 vessel's bow. As the animal bursts into view, sending the spout high 

 into the air, the captain swings the gun al)out, sights along the barrel 

 and fires just as the dorsal fin appears above the water. At times the 

 whale may rise actually under the boat. This happened on one of my 

 trips, allowing me to secure a picture of considerable interest, showing 

 the nostrils or blowholes widely distended during the act of inspiration. 



When the whales were too far away for good photographs, I watched 

 their movements with field glasses from the bridge or the "barrel " at the 

 mast-head. From the latter position on several occasions, I saw the act 

 of feeding. The animals eat a small crustacean (a shrimp) about three 

 quarters of an inch in length, which at times floats at the surface of the 

 ocean. Wlien the whale has taken in a mouthful of water containing 

 quantities of these minute animals, it turns on its side, letting the im- 

 mense under jaw close over the upper, while the water spurts out in 

 streams between the plates of whalebone. The fin and one lobe of the 

 flukes are thrust into the air and even the full length of the body is 

 sometimes exposed, as the animal rolls from side to side. 



I was fortunate in securing a photograph of a large Finback whale 

 while it was feeding, and of a Humpback which threw itself entirely out 

 of the water. Other pictures show both species in the acts of spouting 

 and diving. Thus many interesting observations on the habits and 

 " home life" of these strange animals were given indisputable record by 

 the aid of the camera. 



Roy C. Andrews. 



A PORTION of the central Hall (No. 204) of the second floor of the 

 Museum has been fitted up expressly for children, through the generosity 

 of subscribers to a special fund. Among the features of the Children's 

 Room are live animals in aquaria and growing plants, as well as 

 books, pictures and specimens which may be handled by the juvenile 

 visitors. The room is under the direct care of Mrs. Agnes L. Roessler. 



The attendance at the Museum during 1908 w^as 1,043,562, the 

 record attendance for one day being 63,256, on December 27, 1908. 

 The International Tuberculosis Exhibition was visited by 753,954 

 persons from November 30, 1908, to January 17, 1909. 



