A Tiger of the Sea 



a figure of inky blackness. Rising from the smooth 

 back was an enormous dorsal fin that stood out like 

 a great cleaver cutting the waters, a totem by which 

 the orca could be recognized from far away. Be- 

 neath the eye was a clear oblong white or lavender 

 spot appearing like a huge grotesque organ of vision ; 

 and as though to emphasize its oddity, the orca had 

 a vivid pronounced crescent-shaped saddle of creamy 

 maroon color just in front of the tail fin and partly 

 encircling it. 



I have frequently seen this in contrast with the vel- 

 vet black of the back, as the big killer swam slowly 

 along with dignified pace always at the surface, its big 

 dorsal, like a lateen sail cutting the air. Generally 

 the animals move in a line four or five in succession, 

 the fins resembling diminutive black sails, conspicuous 

 and menacing. Such a school is a family party, a 

 very large male, several females possibly, and two or 

 three young. 



These schools may be seen in summer off the 

 island of Santa Catalina, rarely coming in nearer 

 than half a mile, slowly parading up and down in the 

 lee of the island mountains. I have made various 

 attempts to photograph these animals, but with poor 

 success. But once I had favorable conditions and 

 was nearly on top of them, when one of the party 

 became demoralized at their size and we had to turn 

 back. On another occasion I followed them in a 

 heavy launch and succeeded in reaching a point just 



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