288 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 



that it may prove to be almost world wide. To the British 

 coasts, and more especially to the northern parts of our 

 islands, the Killer is by no means an unfrequent visitor, and 

 at times ascends our larger rivers. For instance, in March, 

 1864, no less than ten of these Cetaceans entered the River 

 Parret, in Somersetshire, all of which were captured within a 

 few miles of Bridgewater. More recently, three Killers swam up 

 the Thames in the spring of 1890. They must have passed 

 through the Pool during the night, since in the morning they 

 were observed swimming rapidly up the open reach between 

 Chelsea and Battersea bridges, where their movem.nts were 

 watched by a number of spectators. After remaining there 

 for several hours, apparently in a state of indecision, they were 

 at length observed to continue their course down the river; 

 and, since there is no record of their capture, they probably 

 succeeded in making their way to the sea. 



Habits Easily recognised when swimming near the surface 

 by its tall back-fin, the Killer may be regarded as the Tiger of 

 the Cetacean order, in which it is the sole member that sub- 

 sists on warm-blooded animals, killing and devouring not only 

 Seals, but likewise such Porpoises and Dolphins as it can cap- 

 ture. The Killer is, however, by no means content with such 

 comparatively small game, three or four of these animals com- 

 bining together to harass and attack the larger Whales, from 

 which they tear huge masses of blubber and flesh, till the un- 

 fortunate Whales eventually succumb from loss of blcod. 

 Such an attack by a party of Killers the present writer had 

 recently the opportunity of witnessing in the South Atlantic. 

 Killers will, however, also catch various kinds of fish. The 

 amount of food that a Killer will consume is perfectly 

 appalling; a specimen having been killed with remains of 

 more than a couple of dozen of Seals and Po poises in its 

 stomach. 



