Sketches From Oldest America 



The Killer is one of the larger members of the 

 whale family, which the natives prefer not to at 

 tack, as it can be very vicious at times. Even much 

 further south than Alaska, the creature has the 

 reputation among the shore whalemen, of chasing 

 the boats to the shore occasionally and has had 

 many victims. Its chief food is the seal and beluga, 

 while its sly disposition enables it also to capture 

 the water birds. Placing itself just beneath the 

 surface, with open jaws, it emits a substance that 

 attracts the birds who settle down on the waves 

 and begin feeding; the Killer then darts forward, 

 capturing the birds which it quickly devours. It is 

 also said sometimes to attack as large an animal as 

 the Fin-back. 



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