BRITISH MAMMALS 
Harvie-Brown and Buckley mention one seen in the Kyle of Tongue 
in August 1880, and another was taken at Dunbeath, Caithness, in 
1884 (Millais). 
The White Whale has seldom occurred in England. Millais mentions 
the capture of two, the first at the mouth of the Tyne, June 1903, 
and one shot at Moreby on the Yorkshire Ouse. 
This species is gregarious and is very lively and playful in its actions, 
often coming to the surface of the water where it will roll and gambol 
in the neighbourhood of vessels. Captain Scammon says {Marine 
Mammalia and American Whale Fishery, p. 93): "When undulating 
along in this manner, it often makes a noise at the moment of coming 
to the surface to respire which may be likened to the faint lowing of an 
ox, but the strain is not so prolonged." 
The White Whale has several times been kept in confinement. Bell 
mentions one which lived for two years in a tank in America, and two 
were exhibited at different times at the Westminster Aquarium ; these 
however only lived for a short time. 
The skin is of considerable value, being manufactured into the 
' porpoise leather ' used for boots. 
For this reason large numbers are annually killed by the Norwegian 
Whalers. 
The Esquimaux also hunt them for their blubber and flesh. 
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