ENG-1963 — Page 421

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NATURAL HISTORY

the Orange-headed Ground Thrush, the Black Stork and the Imperial Eagle.

Reptiles and Amphibians. Snakes, lizards and frogs are all well represented in Hong Kong. There are also various species of terra- pins and turtles, the Common Indian Toad, and the Hong Kong Newt. There is a strong Indian element in this section of the local fauna, of which several species are so far known only in Hong Kong. Most of the common snakes are harmless and death from snake-bite is extremely rare. Apart from certain rear-fanged species, not dangerous to man, the venomous land snakes are the Banded Krait, the Many-banded Krait, Maccleland's Coral Snake, the Chinese Cobra, the Hamadryad (King Cobra), and the White- lipped Pit Viper (commonly called 'Bamboo Snake'). The four species of sea snakes found in the waters around Hong Kong are all venomous, but fortunately these do not attack bathers. A juvenile Common Water-monitor, one of the world's largest species of lizard, was caught in the harbour off Stonecutters Island in January 1963 in addition to three specimens recorded since 1961.

Invertebrates. The most attractive insects are the butterflies, of which almost 200 species belonging to nine families, have been found in Hong Kong. The beautiful and predominantly tropical butterflies, popularly known as 'swallow-tails', are often seen on country walks. Of the many moths, two deserve special mention on account of their large size and attractive colouring. One, the magnificent Atlas Moth, has a wing-span of from seven to ten inches, and is one of the largest moths in the world. The other is the Moon Moth, soft silvery green in colour, with a wing-span of from four to six inches and swallow-tailed wings.

Several species of cicadas are well-known during spring and summer for the incessant song of the males in their brief adult stage. Very little is known about the immature nymphal stage of these remarkable insects, which spend years below the surface of the ground. A spectacular large insect living in ponds is the Giant Water Bug, over three inches in length, which feeds on small fish, frogs and other aquatic creatures. An interesting crustacean is the giant Coconut or Robber Crab, several specimens of which were found in 1963. It has a body one foot in length, and is a relative of the Hermit Crab. Of the terrestrial molluscs, the Giant African Snail is a familiar crop pest commonly found among vegetation.