296 Lloyd's natural histcry. 



the common dolphin. delphinus delphis. 

 Delphi7ius delphis^ Linn., Syst. Nat. ed. 12, vol. i. p. 470; 

 1766; Bell, British Quadrupeds, 2nd ed. p. 462 (1874); 

 Southwell, British Seals and Whales, p. 121 (1881). 



Characters. — Coloration somewhat variable, but the upper- 

 parts black and the under surface pure white, with the flanks 

 shaded, mottled, and streaked with various tints of yellow and 

 grey ; the markings on the two sides of the body frequently 

 displaying perfect symmetry. Length of adult from 5 to 8 

 feet. 



Distribution. — Frequent in the Mediterranean, and likewise 

 occurring in the Atlantic, the Common Dolphin is represented 

 by a closely-allied form in the North Pacific, and by a third in 

 the South Seas. Although not uncommonly visiting our 

 southern shores, it appears very rarely to range as far north as 

 Scotland, but Sir William Turner, in the " Proceedings " of the 

 Physical Society of Edinburgh for 1887 (p. 364), has re- 

 corded the capture in that year of a specimen in the Firth of 

 Forth. 



Habits. — Like its allies, the Common Dolphin is essentially 

 gregarious, and all who have made a voyage in the Mediterra- 

 nean must be familiar with the sportive gambols of these beau- 

 tiful Cetaceans as they frolic round a ship in large schools, 

 which sometimes include hundreds of individuals. Their 

 favourite prey seems to be Pilchards and Herrings, and they 

 are consequently frequently taken in the nets of the Cornish 

 fishermen. A single young one is produced at a birth, and 

 is tended with marked solicitude by its female parent. Like 

 that of the Porpoise, the flesh of the Dolphin formerly formed 

 an article of diet. 



BOTTLE-NOSED DOLPHINS. GENUS TURSIOPS. 

 Tursiops^ Gervais, Hist. Nat. Mamm. vol. ii. p. 323 (1855). 



