170 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 



THE SOCIABLE DOLPHIN OF PELORUS SOUND, NEW ZEALAND. 



A CELEBRATED DOLPHIN. 



MR. L. F. AYSON, Inspector of Fisheries of 

 New Zealand, who visited the Aquarium in 

 January, presented the photograph published here- 

 with, showing a dolphin dashing about the bow of a 

 vessel, and made the following statement relating to 

 it: 



"This animal has for 3'ears frequented the en- 

 trance to Pelorus Sound, New Zealand, regularly 

 meeting passing vessels and accompanying them for 

 several miles on the course to and from French Pass. 

 Its appearance is a regular feature of the trip from 

 Cook Straits and Marlborough Sound to the town 

 of Nelson. 



"Mr. Ayson has long been acquainted with the 

 habits of this dolphin, known to local sailors as 

 'Pelorus Jack,' and has many times observed it 

 carefully. He says that the object of its persistent 

 familiarity is plainly to scratch itself against the 

 vessels. Its method is to dash across the bow, 

 each time vigorously rubbing some part of its body. 



" This is done repeatedly until all parts of its 



back, sides, and belly have been scratched against 

 the ship's bow. 



" Usually joining the vessel astern, it goes rapidly 

 forward, often bounding out of the water, until it 

 begins its customary performance at the bow. 



" This solitary dolphin, which is about twelve feet 

 in length and has been identified as Risso's Dolphir* 

 (Grampus griseus), has inhabited the entrance to 

 Pelorus Sound for nearly twenty years. 



" It is an object of such interest to the public that 

 government regulations as well as popular senti- 

 ment now protect it against pistol shots from mis- 

 guided marksmen." 



FEES FOR MEMBERSHIP. 



The fees for membershi]! in the New York Zoological 

 Societ)' are as follows : 



Annual membership $ 10.00 



Life membership 200.00 



Patron's fee 1,000.00 



Founder's fee 5,000.00 



Benefactor's fee 25,000.00 



Information and blank forms for membership may be 

 obtained at the Service Building, at all entrances to the 

 Zoological Park, and at the .Secretary's Office, No. 11 

 Wall Street, New York City. 



