PYGMY SPERM WHALE PIERS. 95 



Accidental Occurrence of the Pygmy Sperm Whale (Kogia 

 hreviceps) on the Coast of Nova Scotia: an extension 

 OF its known range; with remarks on the probability 

 OF the former presence in these waters of the True 

 Sprrm Whale (Physeter macro(ephalus). — By Harry P.ers. 

 Curator of the Provincial Museum, Halifax, N. S. 

 (Read 9 February, 1920.) 

 Contents. 



Page Page 



I'iGMV Sperm Whale Description (continued) 34 



(K. breviceps) 25 Teeth 34 



Specimen taken at Herring Cove 23 External measurements 35 



Specimens taken on United n ; I . ^ ic 



Q. . ^ ^ Cranial measurements 35 



Micmac Indian tradition of 

 a blunt-headed whale 36 



States coast 26 



Range 27 



How the p esent individual 



came on this coast 28 ^^^^^ Whale (P. macroceh- 



Description 28 ^ ^^^ ^^ 



Diagnosis 29 ^'<^ ^^e true Sperm Whale 



External characters 29 formerly occur on the Nova 



Colour 32 Scotian coast? 38 



Skull 32 Conclusion 43 



Any information regarding the rarer Cetaceans of Nova Scotia 

 is of value, as we have little positive data regarding their occur- 

 rence here This more particularly applies to the True Whales 

 {Balaoiidae) and the Sperm Whales (Physeteridae). Our Dolph- 

 ins (De/phinidae) are somewhat better known, but they also de- 

 serve attention. Whenever possible, advantage should be taken 

 of any opportunity to examine and definitely determine the 

 specific name of specimens stranded or otherwise taken on ou 

 coast. 



Pygmy Sperm Whale (K. breviceps). 



Specimen taken at Herring Cove, Halifax County, N. S. — On I 7th 

 January, 1920, when Jeremiah Gray and other men were cutting 

 out ice to prevent it carrying away the wharves, in case of storm, 

 in Herring Cove (west long. 63° 33', north lat. 44° 34'), a small 

 inlet on the western side of the outer part of Halifax Harbour, 

 Halifax County, Nova Scotia, they chanced to come upon the 

 body of a small-sized whale. The animal was eight and a half 

 feet long, and it was lying dead just beneath the ice. The spot 

 where it was found was about one hundred yards from the head of 

 the narrow cove, and about twenty yards from the western shore, 



I'Kfx- .& Tr.\\8. N. S. Ivst. Sci. Vol.. XV. 'I'r.ws. 8. 



