28 NOTES ON THE KURIL ISLANDS. 



are eighteen breeding rookeries on the islands, where probably a 

 hundred thousand of these animals " haul up " during the summer. 



Black Sea-lion (?). — Otaria gillespii (?). The writer noticed 

 what he considered to be this species on Urup and the Black 

 Brothers. They were in limited numbers, and were hauled up 

 amongst the 0. stelleri. They were distinguishable by their 

 smaller size, differently shaped head, and their " honk, honk " bark. 

 It is possible, however, they may belong to the Australian species, 

 which is said to reach Japan. 



Hair Seal. — Phoca vituUna. Common on all the islands. 



Cetacea. — Right Whale, Balcena japonica. Found offshore, but 

 does not frequent the coasts and bays. 

 Humpback whale, Mega][)tera versahilis. 

 Sulphur-bottom whale, Seehaldms sulphiireus. 

 Fin-back whale. 

 Grey-back whale, Rachianecfes glaucus. 



All common, particularly about the coasts of the southern 

 islands. 



Delphinidce. — Black fish, Globiocephalus scammonii. Killer 

 whales, Orca (?). 



Probably two species. They are usually seen in " schools " of 

 about a dozen. The species with the very high dorsal fin (6 to 8 

 feet), with a broad base, is the most common. 



The writer witnessed an attack made by a school of killers on 

 a large humpback whale and her " calf." In order to protect the 

 " calf," the " cow " whale kept it on her back,swimming so that the 

 young one was only about two-thirds submerged. When the whale 

 was last seen she appeared to be almost exhausted, barely moving 

 through the water. The whale appeared to make no defence. 



Porpoise. — Delphinus (?) 

 „ (?) 



. (?) 



There are at least three kinds of these animals, which are fairly 

 plentiful, more particularly in the vicinity of the southern islands. 

 The " puffing pig " is common along the whole chain. 



The writer has never seen the walrus {Bosmarus ohesus) about 

 the Kurils, or even south of Avatcha Bay, on the Kamchatka coast. 

 A stray one, however, was taken some years ago near Hakodate, in 

 Tsugaru Strait, which must have passed along the Kurils from the 



