112 ALLEN: NEW ENGLAND WHALEBONE WHALES. 



more definitely shown, however, through actual comparison of a sufficient series of measure- 

 ments and photographs, it is not here taken for granted, and in the synonymy of each species 

 are included those names only that have been given to the North Atlantic whales. 



One's first view of a whale at sea is apt to be disappointing (Plate 13, figs. 3-5). Instead 

 of the huge bulk floating lightly on the surface, and spouting a great column of water that 

 divides neatly into two streams in its descent, as pictured in our older books of natural history, 

 one sees a sharp jet of vapour like a puff of steam, has a brief glimpse of a low black object like 

 a floating spar, followed perhaps by a projecting fin or tail and the whale has gone down. A 

 stranded whale is usually an object of much local interest and is heralded in the newspapers 

 with a more or less inaccurate account of its striking peculiarities. The chief matter of 

 moment is its size, of which the largest estimate is the one generally accepted, while various 

 guesses are made as to the species it represents. The following artificial key, based on 

 characters easily observable in a stranded specimen, will serve to identify any of the species 

 known from our waters. 



Key for Identification of Stranded Specimens. 



1. No fleshy fin at the lower part of the back; breast flipper rather squarish in outline; no longitudinal 

 grooves or folds on throat; whalebone blackish with dark brown bristles on inner free edge. 



North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalacna glacialis). 



A fleshy protuberance or fin at the lower part of the back; breast flipper narrow; the throat with longi- 

 tudinal grooves 2. 



2. Breast flipper or pectoral fin very long (one third total length), its fore edge knobbed; folds on throat 

 few (about 14 to 30); dorsal fin low and thick at its base; hinder edge of flukes crenulate. 



Humpback (Megaptera nodosa). 

 Pectoral short, about a tenth or less of total length, its outline not knobbed; throat folds numerous 3. 



3. Size small, not over thirty feet in length; a broad whitish band on middle portion of pectoral fin; whale- 

 bone plates and their bristles yellowish white Little Piked Whale (Balaenoptera acuto-rostrata) . 



Size large, over 40 feet, no white band on pectoral, whalebone not entirely yellowish white 4. 



4. Color dark gray or bluish gray, with scattered small spots or marblings of white; size large, up to 80 feet; 

 dorsal fin usually small and far back; whalebone plates including their coarse bristles jet black. 



Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculm). 

 Color dark gray above but central area of belly pure white ; dorsal fin high and falcate 5. 



5. Whalebone plates particolor, streaked vertically with purple and yellowish white, those at the front end 

 of the right-hand side all white; bristles on the inner side coarse and whitish. 



Common Finback (Balaenoptera physalus). 

 Whalebone plates entirely black, but their bristles at the inner edge very fine and white. 



Pollack Whale (Balaenoptera borealis). 



The identification of whales at sea is often a difficult matter, but with careful observation, 

 it is possible under favorable circumstances, to determine the species by noting its characteristic 

 actions. In many cases, however, this is quite out of the question where but a momentary 

 glimpse is had. On the other hand, the whales may be in sight at close range for many minutes, 



