ENG-1968 — Page 344

NATURAL HISTORY

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and the Seven-banded, are recorded in the Colony. The former is exceedingly rare and may no longer occur here, the second is present in small numbers on Hong Kong Island and in wooded areas of the New Territories.

The Eastern Chinese Otter, once abundant, is now a rare visitor. Of the other carnivores, the South China Red Fox and the Chinese Leopard Cat have all but disappeared from the Colony as has the Wild Boar.

Mammals which have recently ceased to occur here are the Crab Eating Mongoose, the Wild Red Dog or Dhole, the Tiger and Leopard. The last definite record of a tiger in the Colony was in 1947, and the last recorded sighting of a leopard, in 1957. Periodic tiger and leopard alarms are usually traced to damage done by wild dogs or to hoaxers.

The Barking Deer, a particularly attractive and appealing animal, was once plentiful all over the Colony. In the last six years its num- bers have been drastically reduced; primarily, it is believed, because of illegal trapping and hunting. It is now rare in the New Territories and the remaining animals on Hong Kong Island are confined to a few areas. The hoarse bark of the males may still be heard by residents and visitors to the Peak.

Long-tailed Macaques, a sub-species of those found in Singapore, occur in small numbers in the Kowloon reservoir area and may often be seen near the Kowloon – Tai Po Road. They are probably descendants of escaped or released individuals.

Smaller mammals which include rats, mice and bats are abundant in the Colony, and the Woodland Shrew and the House Shrew are fairly numerous in some rural areas. The Chinese Porcupine, with its strikingly coloured black and white quills, is still present in 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, rep- resenting more than 60 different families, including resident and migrant birds, have so far been recorded in the Colony.