Common Dolphin; Spotted Dolphin 



and few are the visitors to our seaside resorts who have not 

 seen a school of "porpoises" passing up or down the coast just 

 beyond the breakers, their arched backs and pointed fins rising 

 at regular intervals above the surface of the waves and disap- 

 pearing again, as the animal continues on its undulating course. 

 Occasionally with a stronger leap than usual the powerful fluked 

 tail is seen above the water and sometimes the entire body is 

 exposed. 



Like other members of the family, porpoises are sociable and 

 always gather in herds or "schools" of varying size and in 

 this way no doubt they pursue with better effect the mackerel, 

 herring and other fishes upon which they feed. 



Often at sea porpoises will associate themselves with some 

 passing ship and for miles at a time plunge along close to her 

 side, perhaps taking the vessel for some gigantic member of their 

 own tribe. I have watched them travelling in this manner for 

 long intervals and they kept close to the prow, as if piloting 

 the ship on its way and apparently with no thought of the 

 scraps or refuse which they might have secured had they been 

 following in our wake. 



Several species of similar habits occur in the north Atlantic 

 which are described below, while others are found in the other seas. 



Common Dolphin 



Delphinus delphis Linnaeus 



Length. 7 feet. 



Description. Beak longer and narrower than in the preceding. 

 Colour variable; back, fin and tail black, under parts white, 

 sides gray. The black descends on the sides to about the 

 middle, and there is a black ring around the eye and a black 

 line to^ the beak. There is usually a dusky band from the jaw 

 to the flipper and one or two stripes on the sides. Teeth 47 

 to 50 above, and 46 to 51 below. 



Range. Pelagic. Apparently not common on our coasts, but has 

 been taken in New York Harbour, Wood's Hole, etc. 



Spotted Dolphin 



Prodelphinus plagiodon (Cope) 

 Length. 7 feet. 



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