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NATURAL HISTORY

some areas of the New Territories. One was last sighted in 1966 on Hong Kong Island.

Cetaceans so far recorded from within or near Hong Kong waters are the Common Rorqual or Finback Whale, Pygmy Sperm Whale, Black Finless Porpoise and Common Dolphin.

There is ample opportunity in Hong Kong for either serious study, or simple enjoyment, of bird life. Nearly 350 species, representing more than 60 different families, including resident and migrant birds, have so far been recorded in the Colony.

They provide considerable variety of form and occur in a wide range of habitat. The largest species is undoubtedly the Spotted- billed Pelican which comes in small numbers as a winter visitor to the Mei Po Marshes. Among the smallest are the insectivorous White-eyes, of the wooded areas, and the Yellow-bellied Wren Warbler of the reed beds. The Chinese Blue Magpie, with royal blue plumage and orange beak, and the Crow Pheasant of dark brown plumage with light brown wings, can frequently be seen on the shrubby and wooded hillsides. The Crow Pheasant is neither crow nor pheasant, but a cuckoo and has a haunting call of descend- ing notes which can be heard in spring and early summer. The bulbuls and the minute Tailor Bird, with its insistant 'tch tch'-call, are common birds in urban areas, and the beautiful song of the Wah Mei delights hikers and residents in the countryside.

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Snakes, lizards and frogs are well represented in Hong Kong. There are also various species of terrapin and turtle. Most of the snakes are non-poisonous and death from snake bite is extremely rare. Apart from back-fanged species, not dangerous to man, the venomous land snakes are- the Banded Krait, with black and yellow bands; the Many-banded Krait with black and white bands; MacClelland's Coral Snake, which is coral red with narrow, black transverse bars; the Chinese Cobra and the Hamadryad or King Cobra, both of which are hooded; the very rare Mountain Pit Viper and the White-lipped Viper or Bamboo snake. The Bamboo snake is bright green, and although less venomous than the others, is more often seen and is more likely to attack if accidentally dis- turbed. The Hamadryad is regarded as the most intelligent of snakes and preys almost exclusively on other snakes. Several species