634 FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. 



the Pacific, as is well known, they formerly occurred in great abundance, 

 hut their number, at least off our coast, has suffered a remarkable dim- 

 inution. 



The Pigmy Sperm Whales, of the genus Kogia, are very rare about 

 North America. The stranding of only three specimens is authenti- 

 cally known, one at Mazatlan, at the mouth of the Gulf of California, 

 one on the New Jersey coast, and another near Indian River, Florida. 

 Nothing is known of their movements or habits, but it may be sur- 

 mised that they move singly or in pairs, but never in schools. 



ZIPHIOID WHALES. 



The Bottlenose Whales, genus Hyperoodon, are uncommon about the 

 coast of the United States, and attract no attention from a commercial 

 point, of view. Specimens from the east coast have been taken in a few 

 instances, and are preserved in different museums. They are not men- 

 tioned by Scammon as having been observed by him, and are doubtless 

 very rare, if occurring at all, on our west coast. 



The genera Ziphius and Mesoplodon are still rarer in North American 

 waters. A single specimen of each genus has thus far been recorded. 

 The discovery of a Ziphius and a Berardias at Bering Island by Dr. 

 Leonhard Stejneger is a very interesting one, as extending the range 

 of these genera. 



THE GRAY WHALE. 



The Gray Whale, Rhachianectes glaucus, was very abundant on the 

 west coast of the United States and southward in the first half of the 

 present century, and formed he object of pursuit by whalemen. In 

 the last thirty years, however, it has diminished in abundance in an 

 alarming degree, and is even threatened with extinction. In former 

 years it ranged from 20° north latitude to the Arctic regions, breeding 

 on the Lower California coast. They perform regular migrations, pass- 

 ing northward in the spring and southward at the approach of winter. 

 Although far from timid, naturally, they speedily became so by the 

 constant persecution of the whalemen, and made many changes in their 

 habits. In passing to and fro along the shore they at first kept well in, 

 but as they grew more cautious they deviated in their course farther 

 and farther from the coast line, so that it was necessary for the whale- 

 men to go out a long distance to capture them. They became very shy 

 and* difficult to catch, even under the most favorable circumstances. 

 The breeding season occurs in the earlier part of the year, one calf 

 being brought forth at a birth. 



A single specimen showing some degree of relationship to the Gray 

 Whale, was observed by Professor Cope and described by him under 

 the name of Agaphelus gibbosus. Nothing is known of its habits or 

 economy. 



