232 
A VOYAGE TO SFITZBERGEN. 
leaving the coast south of 72 deg. N. lat. in June, and 
roaming about at the head of Baffin's Bay and the 
western shores of the strait during the summer. In 
October it is seen to go west, not south, but in winter 
can be seen in company with the narwhal, at the 
broken places in the ice. Its geographical range may 
be said to be the same as the narwhal's, and during 
the summer months corresponds with that of the right 
whale, of which it is looked upon as the precursor. It, 
however, wanders further south than to 63 deg. N. lat., 
being quite common in the St. Lawrence Biver. It 
feeds on Crustacea, fish, and cephalapoda; but in the 
stomach is generally found some sand. The sailors 
often jocularly remark, in reference to this, that the 
Kelelluak takes in ballast. 
The males and females swim together in the same 
flock, and do not separate, as has been stated. Their 
blast is not unmusical, and when under water they 
emit a peculiar whistling sound, which might be mis¬ 
taken for the whistle of a bird. And on this account 
the whalers often call them sea-canaries. 
The two Norwegian sloops are occupied in netting 
these white whales close by, and we go to see the 
sport. Their costly nets have meshes six inches 
square, made of cod line, seven fathoms deep, and 
about 800 fathoms long. One end is made fast to the- 
