LESSER RORQUAL 



exceeds 30 feet in length, and is one of the four species 

 which visit the seas off the British coast with any 

 regularity. 



For the most part these fin Whales, as we may call 

 them, feed upon cod, but Mr. F. G. Aflalo says he has 

 seen the Lesser Rorqual rounding up pilchards off the 

 Dodman in Cornwall. It has a pointed muzzle, with the 

 general colour of the upper parts greyish-black, and white 

 underneath. It may, however, be identified with cer- 

 tainty by a prominent band of white on the upper part 

 of the outer surface of the flippers. Because of the 

 pointed muzzle, it is also known as the Pike- Whale. 

 It is a solitary species, and follows a wandering course 

 in search of prey. 



Bottle-nosed Whale. — This species introduces us 

 to the toothed Whales. They do not possess whale- 

 bone, having instead permanent teeth in, at least, the 

 lower jaw. There are other distinctive features in their 

 anatomy, but these need not detain us. The Bottle- 

 nose is one of the four commonest Whales which becomes 

 stranded on British shores. It is an inhabitant of wide, 

 open seas, and its food is largely made of squids and 

 cuttle-fish. 



Unhke the Rorqual, the Bottle-nose is of gregarious 

 habits, associating in schools made up of several 

 individuals. 



It has acquired its popular name from the elevation of 



the upper surface of the head above the rather short 



beak, and, in front of tlie blow-hole, into a rounded, 



121 



