82 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX.
Genus PHOCAENA, Cuvier.
Phocaena communis, F. Cuvier. Porpoise.
Who does not know this merry and active creature? It
occurs everywhere on our coasts, and is as frequently seen
during stormy weather as at any other time, apparently
revelling in the tempestuous waters, It is so common that I
have not thought it necessary to give any records of
capture.
Genus Delphinus, Linn.
Delphinus tursio, Fabricius. Bottle-nosed Dolphin.
This animal, generally reputed rare, has occurred in Essex
several times within my own observation. A female, ten feet
long, was captured a few years since off Harwich. Another
was shot in the Colne on September 5th, 1881 (Zool., 1881,
p. 419), while two more were also taken in the same river
during the following year (Zool., 1882, pp. 147, 351). In 1829,
one was taken in the Thames below the Nore, and its skeleton
is now in the museum of the Royal College of Surgeons
(Bell's Brit. Quad., 2nd ed., p. 468).
All these examples were females ; but, on May 29th, 1892,
I had the opportunity of examining three specimens, two
males and one female, which were captured in Mill Creek,
Fingringhoe. The female, which was the finest of the three,
and which measured ten feet three inches in length, was
in full milk. A drawing by Major Bale, of Colchester, of
the locality where these specimens were captured, faces
this page.
Beside those recorded above, I have seen several other
specimen captured in various creeks on the coast. When
at sea, also, I have frequently been close enough to recognise
the species, as they passed or rested near.