58 



THE ZOOLOGIST. 



nebulosity that predicted a scorcher, these beasts splashed 

 and snorted all around us, our approach, if it had been noticed, 

 making no difference to them as- they pursued their sports or 

 affections unheeding. Without suspicion they rose and dived 

 under our bows, so that it was with difficulty a collision with them 

 was averted. Two Whales occupied my attention for some time 

 by their extraordinary behaviour, for no sooner did one appear 

 to breathe than the other, coming up at the same time, would 

 prepare to assail it in a fashion I have not seen or heard of 

 before ; and it appeared that the first Whale, wishing to avoid 

 the other's interference, would before diving roll over and use 

 one of its pectorals on the flanks of the other. I saw them 

 again come up together, and both seemed blown out before they 

 finally disappeared, and this time they made some quick rushes 

 through the surface, as if racing each other. One Hump-back> 

 later in the noon, rose out of the water about two hundred 

 yards distant, the striking of the water with its tail being 

 distinctly heard on board, and this appeared to be a solitary 

 one, as we could see no others in that direction. I also wit- 

 nessed what was evidently a fight with four Whales ; it needs 

 little describing beyond stating that one of the pack, possibly 

 larger than the others, and whose great pectorals made him 

 more conspicuous, kept swinging his tail when half his body 

 was under water. Once only I saw two young Whales playing 

 away from their adults ; they were very timid, so it was im- 

 possible to see much of them. 



I had reason to notice, and I think it worthy of attention, 

 that the Hump-back (or, more correctly speaking, Megaptera 

 longimana) is a poor blower for so large an animal ; of its timid 

 and shy disposition we have already spoken, and from the fact 

 that no Whales were noticed till late in the day, we may reason- 

 ably conclude their absence was due to the large shoals of 

 Herrings (commonly called Sardines in Natal) and other fish 

 that about this period of the season make their way up from the 

 Gape or Agulhas to these shores. 



In swimming and diving the tail does all the work, but it 

 might be observed, on alarm or suspicion of danger, the fins are 

 not raised out of the water preparatory to diving. When 

 watching these animals' movements there is nothing graceful 



