THE DOLPHINS 10£ 



GRAMPUSES. 



' Of this group of the Belphinidce, which has been observed along the Pacific 

 North American Coast, there is but little known ; they are commonly clistinguishec 

 by the names given in the list of the dolphins found upon this coast. Our per- 

 sonal knowledge of these obscure animals is so limited that we have hesitatec 

 whether or not to mention them ; but after due consideration we submit the fol 

 lowing remarks 



SECTION IX.— THE WHITEHBADED OR MOTTLED GRAMPUS 



Gkampcs SiEAENsn, Bait 



The average length of the Whiteheaded or Mottled Grampus may be ten feet. 

 Its muzzle terminates in a rounded point, and very nearly resembles that of the 

 Phoccena vomerlna. Its dorsal fin is narrow, quite higli, and slightly falcated ; hence 

 the animal is sometimes taken for the Oi'ca ater, and its general appearance and 

 movements through the water are very similar to those of that animal. Its indi- 

 vidual marks vary more than any other species of the toothed whales of the coast. 

 "While the prevailing color is very dark, approaching to black, the head and anterior 

 portion of the body — as far as the pectorals in some examples — are white, in 

 others it is only partially so ; and frequently they are seen more or less mottled 

 with light gray to the region of the dorsal fin. They are gregarious, and congre- 

 gate frequently in large schools ; at other times two or three, or even a solitary 

 individual, will be met with, wandering about the coast or up the bays in quest of 

 food, which consists of fish and several vax'ieties of crustaceans. It is rarely taken, 

 as it is extremely wild and shy. 



SECTION X.— THE BOTTLENOSED GRAMPUS- 



The Bottlenosed Grampus is probably the largest of the Dolphin family of 

 Cetaceans. Its color approaches nearer to brown than black. The fin on the back 

 is comparatively small, angular in shape, with the longest side attached to the body, 

 and placed much nearer the caudal fin than on other species of the same genus. 



