146 “MAMMALS OF BERMUDA. 
ing to its nature in search of insects; but as it is never seen except at 
that particular season it is clear that it is not a resident, but merely 
blown across the ocean by those violent northwest gales which also 
usually bring numbers of birds from the American continent. 
The geographical range of this species appears to extend all over the 
continent of America north of Mexico, extending as far north as Red 
River Settlement in British North America. 
Order CETACEA. 
There are two species of Whales now frequenting the sea surrounding 
the Bermudas, in spring and early summer, and they are doubtless the 
same which visited the group in the earliest times of which we possess 
arecord. Jourdan* has the first account of Whales being observed 
there in 1610. 
“There are also great plentie whales which I conceive are very easie 
to be killed for they come so usually and ordinarilie to the shore that 
wee heard them oftentimes in the night abed and have seen many of 
them neare the shoare in the day time.” 
In Smith’s “History of Virginia” (1616), we also find mention of 
Whales at the Bermudas during the months of January, February, and 
March. 
Again, in the ‘‘Constitucons and Instructions to Mr. Daniel Tucker 
now chosen Deputie Gounor for the Somer Islands given by the Goue- 
nor and Companie of the Cittye of London for the said Plantacon” 
(1616), allusion is made to them. 
“As touchinge the whale fishinge we would have you observe that 
we have sent John Headland our chief harpeneere, Henry Hughes his 
mate, and others of his ginge (gang) to whose assistance we ioyne Mr. 
Wilmott as skillful in that buisness, with such others to help as you 
shall appointe thereto. And that you omitt noe tyme at yor first com- 
minge thither to sett upon that worke, consideringe that the whale 
fishinge will be soe neare spent before you shall come thither.” 
It is therefore evident from the foregoing statements that one or more 
species of these marine mammals regularly visited the islands every 
spring, and we shall now endeavor to identify those species from the 
descriptions given by early writers, which are fortunately sufficiently 
expressive to permit of such determination. 
* A Plain description of the Barmodas, now called Sommer Ilands, with the manner 
of their discouerie anno 1609. By Sylvanus Jourdan. London, 1613. 
