180 NEWFOUNDLAND 



the surface of the sea in exactly the same curious position 

 as the Californian Grey Whale, Rhachianectes Glaucus as 

 figured by Scammon.^ This attitude of the Humpback at 

 rest was first described to me by Captain Nilsen, and its 

 accuracy is confirmed by Captains Larsen and Bull. Hump- 

 back will drift about motionless for half-an-hour, with the 

 head held in this perpendicular fashion, respiring the while 

 after the manner of other mammals.* 



These whales exhibit unusual attachment to their young, 

 and will stand by and endeavour to defend them even if 

 seriously wounded. This affection is reciprocated by the 

 calf, as the following incident will show. 



Captain Nilsen, of the whaler St. Lawrence, was hunting 

 in Hermitage Bay, Newfoundland, in June 1903, when he 

 came up to a huge cow Humpback and her calf. After 

 getting " fast " to the mother and seeing that she was ex- 

 hausted. Captain Nilsen gave the order to lower away the 

 " pram " for the purpose of lancing. However, when the 

 boat approached the wounded whale, the young one kept 

 moving round the body of its mother and getting between 

 the boat and its prey. Every time the mate endeavoured 

 to lance, the calf intervened, and by holding its tail towards 

 the boat and smashing it down whenever they approached, 

 kept the stabber at bay for half-an-hour. Finally the boat 

 had to be recalled for fear of an accident, and a fresh 

 harpoon was fired into the mother, causing instant death. 

 The faithful calf now came and lay alongside the body of 

 its dead mother, where it was badly lanced, but not killed. 

 Owing to its position it was found impossible to kill it, so 



' " Marine Mammalia and American Whale Fishery," by Captain Scammon, p. 32. 



^ Fabricius noted something of this kind, for he says that when the sea is calm 

 the Humpback rests as if it was asleep ; at other times on its side and beat itself 

 with the pectorals. 



