354 WILD BEASTS OF THE WORLD 



The ferocity of the Grampus is equalled by its storage capacity; 

 one has been found to have devoured no less than thirteen 

 Porpoises and fourteen Seals. Even the great powerful males of the 

 Sea-Lions, for all their courage, dare not face this terror of the sea, 

 but hastily make for the shore and " haul up " when his pointed back- 

 fin appears in their vicinity ; and, though he dares not attack the old 

 Walrus, he hankers after its cub, and sometimes obtains the little 

 animal by his cunning. In vain the mother carries it on her back, 

 for the foe butts her so violently from below that it is shaken off; 

 but the Killer, in attempting this manoeuvre, sometimes loses his life 

 at the tusks of the infuriated parent. 



The ferocity of the Grampus is best shown, however, in his 

 attacks on Whales — that is to say, on the Whalebone Whales, for 

 the Sperm-Whale is too much even for him. 



The wretched Leviathan, when attacked by these Sea-Hounds, 

 vainly lashes the water with his huge tail flukes and flippers ; the 

 savage pack bound into the air and descend with resounding smacks 

 upon his back ; they fasten like Bull-Dogs on his huge lips and drag 

 his mouth open, tearing at and devouring his tongue. Ultimately 

 the poor baited giant succumbs to exhaustion and loss of blood, and 

 the ravenous pack glut themselves on his flesh. Although they 

 cannot kill the Sperm-Whale for themselves, they will gladly feed 

 on his carcase when he has been killed by the Whalers, and they 

 also vary or make up their diet with fish. 



With all their ferocity, they do not attack man, although dis- 

 playing practically no fear of him — another curious analogy with the 

 Dhole and the African Hunting-Dog. It would seem that human 

 flesh is distasteful to these boldest of the carnivorous beasts. 



Indeed, off the Australian coast the Killers are actually in partner- 

 ship with the Whalers, helping in the attack on the Whales, and taking 

 their fill of flesh as payment. 



In the ordinary way, however, these creatures are naturally regarded 

 as a great nuisance and hindrance to the Whaling industry, as they 

 frighten away the game. 



