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species, the Large Chinese Civet, the Rasse or Small Indian Civet, and the Masked Palm Civet; the last-named is not uncommon and its local distribution includes The Peak district. A close relative of the civets is the Crab-eating Mongoose, of which there is at least one record but which is not known to have occurred in recent years.
Reeves' Muntjac (Barking Deer) inhabits various hilly wooded localities both in the New Territories and on Hong Kong Island. On account of its shyness and nocturnal habits this small deer may seem to be less numerous than is actually the case. The Wild Boar is nowhere common in the Colony, small numbers occurring in some wilder parts of the Sai Kung and Sha Tau Kok regions, along the Pat Sin Range, on Lantao Island, and possibly in a limited area in the Tai Po region.
The Chinese Porcupine, our largest rodent, is found in parts of Hong Kong Island and the New Territories. Small mammals include an insectivore, namely the House Shrew, various rodents, and several species of bats. Among the rodents there is the Smaller Bandicoot Rat which, in spite of its name, is the largest rat found in the Colony; it is entirely 'wild' (non-domestic) in habits and sometimes causes considerable damage to crops. Very little is known of the bats, which are represented by both insectivorous and frugivorous species.
Cetaceans occurring within or near Hong Kong territorial waters include the Common Rorqual or Finback Whale (a single record during 1955), the Black Finless Porpoise, and the Common Dolphin.
Birds. There is much to interest ornithologists and bird- watchers in Hong Kong. Including published and un- published records, over three hundred species of birds are known to have occurred in the Colony. A great deal more work is necessary, however, particularly with regard to breeding and feeding habits, various other aspects of ecology,