PULO MILO 119 



specimen of the killer whale {Orca gladiator). The first hint 

 we obtained of the presence of such an animal, was conveyed 

 by the sight of a long black fin showing above the water 

 immediately in the course of the schooner. 



As we sailed over the spot where it had been, we perceived, 

 while looking over the side, a stout, rotund body of a deep 

 black colour, marked with large patches of a yellowish hue 

 about the head and the posterior portion of the back. Only 

 a momentary glance was obtained before it faded from sight 

 in deep water, but we judged it to be some 15 feet in length. 



The dorsal fin distinctly differed in shape from that figured 

 in descriptions of the killer ; instead of being more or less 

 triangular, it was sabre-like, long, narrow, and curved.* 



We were all day journeying from Kachal to Little Nicobar, 

 and had to anchor for the night somewhere west of Pulo Milo. 

 As it became dark, immense flocks of pigeons left the forests 

 of Little Nicobar for Trak and Treis, where they roosted for 

 the night, and when day dawned we saw them passing back 

 again. That morning, however, we made sail again, and reached 

 our anchorage in a very short time. 



The harbour is a fairly good one, and is formed by the 

 coast of the island here bending to form a right angle, and by 

 the island of Milo, which forms a protection on the west. Good 

 shelter is afforded during the south-west monsoon — the most 

 important consideration ; and at other times only strong northerly 

 winds need be feared. 



We found 7 fathoms sand in the centre of the channel 

 where we rounded to ; and soon after the sails were down, three 

 wild - looking fellows in black Chinese jackets came alongside, 

 followed presently by a couple of old men clothed in red cotton. 



For some unexplained reason, they seemed much afraid, 

 and were with difficulty induced to believe that our intentions 

 were nothing but good. From answers to questions, we learned 

 that the people of Little Nicobar have nearly all died — a piece 



* This cetacean is probably of the same species as that observed by Mr 

 Holdsworth in the Indian Ocean, and described in the Mammals of India. 



