}
i
Two birds observed during 1949 which have not been listed are the Rough-legged Buzzard, a winter visitor seen in the Lam Tsun Valley, and the East China Lesser Scimitar Babbler, several of which were seen in the Peak district. Other interesting records of birds seen in 1949 include a small party of the rare White-winged Black Tern, several melanistic examples of the Rufous-backed Shrike, and the rare White Ibis seen on the secluded shore at Deep Bay. A fairly large party of the tiny Chinese Scarlet-backed Flower- peckers afforded amply opportunity for observation when they settled down during the winter of 1949/50 in the vicinity of Belcher's Fort on Hong Kong Island.
Birds recorded in former years which there is reason to believe were less numerous or absent in 1949 are the Blue-tail, the various flycatchers, Java Sparrow, Chinese Spotted Munia, Chinese White-backed or Sharp-tailed Munia, Lesser Black-tailed Hawfinch, Japanese Nightjar, Chinese White-breasted Water-Hen, Indian Moorhen, Chinese Pond Heron, and the Night Heron. Others seen but which appear to be rare in at least some of their former haunts are the South East China Jungle Crow, Grey Minivet, Chinese Hair- crested Drongo, and the Black-necked Mynah. The beautiful Black-naped Oriole may still be seen but is not common. The Little Egret was not reported at the heronries on the mainland during 1949, whilst the Cattle Egret was nesting there in reduced numbers.
Reptiles
Twenty-nine species of land snakes, about six sea- snakes, fifteen lizards and several chelonians (tortoises, turtles and terrapins) are known to inhabit the Colony and the adjacent sea.
Of the land snakes, only six are sufficiently poisonous to be dangerous to man.
Most familiar of the latter is the little bright green Bamboo Snake, the bite of which, however, has never been known to prove fatal to an adult. It is a pitviper, having a distinct pit or indentation between the eye and the nostril, and is one of our commonest snakes. Another common poisonous snake is the well-known Indian Cobra, a bite from which is likely to prove fatal if prompt treatment is not given. Fortunately bites from this snake in Hong Kong are extremely rare and no deaths are on record. These snakes are usually blackish or fairly dark in colour above and when on the defensive or about to strike they adopt the characteristic pose with head and forepart of body raised and the hood expanded. The large King Cobra or Hamadryad is very rare and may be found only in the New Territories. It is the largest poisonous snake in the World and may occasionally attain eighteen feet in length.
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