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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1976
PROTECTED BIRDS RELEASED IN N.T.
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THREE KESTRELS HAVE BEEN RELEASED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES BY OFFICERS OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
THE BIRDS WERE CONFISCATED AT FANLING MAGISTRACY AFTER A HAWKER PLEADED GUILTY TO ''HAWKING BIRDS'' CONTRARY TO THE ANIMAL TRADES REGULATIONS.
THE BIRDS WERE KEPT BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE RELEASE SO THAT THEY COULD REGAIN THEIR STRENGTH.
THE KESTREL IS QUITE COMMONLY SEEN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DURING WINTER. IT IS A SMALL FALCON, ABOUT 34 C M. LONG, WITH A LONG TAIL AND LONG, POINTED WINGS.
THE KESTREL, LIKE ALL BIRDS OF PREY, IS BENEFICIAL JO MAN ÅND FEEDS ON INSECTS AND SMALL MAMMALS SUCH AS RATS AND MICE, THESE IT USUALLY CATCHES BY HOVERING OVER OPEN GROUND AND THEN QUICKLY DROPPING DOWN ON ITS PREY.
THE KESTREL IS FULLY PROTECTED IN HONG KONG UNDER THE WILD ANIMAL'S PROTECTION ORDINANCE.
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR NOVEMBER 1975
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THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 1975 SHOW A SURPLUS OF $246 MILLION (EXCLUDING LOANS) AS COMPARED. WITH A SURPLUS OF $174 MILLION IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATED DEFICIT OF $357 MILLION FOR THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR, COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $806 MILLION FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
TOTAL REVENUE FOR THE MONTH AT $681 MILLION WAS $27 MILLION LESS THAN IN NOVEMBER 1974.
TOTAL EXPENDITURE AT $435 MILLION WAS $99 MILLION LESS THAN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, MAINLY BECAUSE OF DECREASED SPENDING ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS ́DUE LARGELY TO THE SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN CONTRACT PRICES AND ALSO TO THE EXCEPTIONALLY RAINY SUMMER IN 1975.
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