16 CALIFORNIA MAMMALiS. 



At such times the sea gulls and cormorants ahght on the huge 

 beasts. 



"From w:hat data we have been able tO' obtain the whole 

 number of California Gray Whales which have been captured 

 ■or destroyed since the bay whaling commenced, in 1846, would 

 not exceed 10,800, and the numiber which now periodically visit 

 the coast does not exceed 8,000 or 10,000." (This appears to 

 have been written in 1872.) 



"Many of the marked habits of the California Gray Whale 

 are widely different from those of any other species of Balxna. 

 It makes regular migrations from the hot southern latitudes to 

 beyond the Arctic Circle; and in the passage between the ex- 

 tremes of climate it follows the general trend of an irregular coast 

 so near that it is exposed to the attacks of the savage tribes in- 

 habiting the seashore, whO' pass much of their time in the canoe, 

 and consider the capture of this singular wanderer a feat worthy 

 of the highest distinction. As it approaches the \\-aters of the 

 torrid zone, it presents an opportunity to the civilized whale- 

 men — at sea, along shore, and in the lagoons — to practice their 

 different modes of strategy, thus hastening the time of its utter 

 annihilation. This species of whale manifests the greatest af- 

 fection for its young, and seeks the sheltered estuaries lying un- 

 der a tropical sun as if to warm its offspring and promote its 

 comfort, until grown to a size Nature demands for its first north- 

 £rn visit." (Scammon.) 



Genus Megaptera Gray. (Large — fin.) 

 Dorsal fin present, low or "hump" like; pectoral fin very long 

 and narrow; head of moderate size; throat and belly with longi- 

 tudinal furrows ; baleen short ; cervical vertebrae free ; size large. 



Megaptera nodosa versabilis Cope. (Knotted; capable 

 of being turned.) 



PACIFIC HUMPBACK WHALE. 



Eody short and thick; a "hump" of variable size and shape 



