82 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX. 



Genus PHOCvENA, Cuvier. 



Phocaena communis, F. Cuvier. PORPOISE. 



Who does not know this merry and active creature? It 

 occurs everywhere on our coasts, and is as frequently seen 

 during stormy weather as at any other time, apparently 

 revelling in the tempestuous waters. It is so common that I 

 have not thought it necessary to give any records of 

 capture. 



Genus DELPHINUS, Linn. 



Delphinus tursio, Fabricius. BOTTLE-NOSED DOLPHIN. 



This animal, generally reputed rare, has occurred in Essex 

 several times within my own observation. A female, ten feet 

 long, was captured a few years since off Harwich. Another 

 was shot in the Colne on September 5th, 1881 (Zool., 1881, 

 p. 419), while two more were also taken in the same river 

 during the following year (Zool., 1882, pp. 147, 351). In 1829, 

 one was taken in the Thames below the Nore, and its skeleton 

 is now in the museum of the Royal College of Surgeons 

 (Bell's Brit. Quad., 2nd ed., p. 468). 



All these examples were females ; but, on May 29th, 1892, 

 I had the opportunity of examining three specimens, two 

 males and one female, which were captured in Mill Creek, 

 Fingringhoe. The female, which was the finest of the three, 

 and which measured ten feet three inches in length, was 

 in full milk. A drawing by Major Bale, of Colchester, of 

 the locality where these specimens were captured, faces 

 this page. 



Beside those recorded above, I have seen several other 

 specimen captured in various creeks on the coast. When 

 at sea, also, I have frequently been close enough to recognise 

 the species, as they passed or rested near. 



