42 CALIFORNIA MAMMAUS. 



Delphinus delphis Linn. (Dolphin.) 



COMMON DOLPHIN. 



Form and disposition of color markings vei"y variable; teeth 

 47 — 46 to 50 — 51 ; length about 2265 mm. (90 inches) ; end of 

 jaw to dorsal fin looo (40) ; end of jaw to pectoral fin 500 (20) ; 

 heig'ht of dorsal fin 230 (9) ; length of pectoral fin 350 (14) ; 

 breadth of flukes 520 (21). 



"Mr. Dall was unfortunately unable to compare his skele- 

 ton with that of D. dclpliis, to which species D. bairdii, if distinct, 

 is undoubtedly most clasely allied. From the evidence now ob- 

 tainable I am unable to distinguish between D. delphis and D. 

 bairdi, and must therefore regard the latter as identical with 

 the former." (True). 



Pelagic. Found in most seas. I have a skull picked up on 

 tJie beach near San Diego, and have seen others. The following 

 is from Captain Scammon's account of DclpJiimis "bairdii." 



"This Dolphin inhabits the Pacific North American coast, 

 in ci immon with other varieties which aibound in these waters. 

 At a distance it much resembles the Common Porpoise of fisher- 

 men and sailors ; but it differs in several points from that species. 

 We were so fortunate as to obtain two female specimens off 

 Point Arguello, in the fall of 1872, from which we obtained the 

 following notes. Apparently both individuals were adults, and 

 nearly the same size and weight. The body of Dclphimis bairdii 

 is more slender, and its snout mcire elongated and rounded, than 

 that of the Striped or Common Porpoises, and may be ooinpared 

 to the bill of a snipe. Its teeth are slender, conical and slightly 

 curved inward. Its dorsal fin is more erect and less falcated 

 than that of the LagcuoHiynchus obliqiiideiis, while its pectorals 

 are nearly the same shape and comparative proportimis; but the 

 caudal tin is less in breadth and greater in proportionate expan- 

 sion. Its back, immediately forward of the dorsal fin, is some- 

 what concave, so that when taking a side vie\\' the upper contour 

 appears lower before than behind the fin. Its \'aried colors are, 

 top and sides of head black, sides of both' behind the vent and 



