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Natural History

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THE rapid development of the urban areas in the past decade or so has made further inroads into the countryside but, in spite of this, and especially in the New Terri- tories, large areas of Hong Kong are still virtually untouched, with wooded hillsides and valleys and green fields. It is here that the animal and plant life can be found.

Wild Life

With increased urbanisation and greater use of the countryside by an urban population many wild animals, particularly mammals, are declining in numbers. Indigenous mammals which no longer occur are the Crab-eating Mongoose, the Wild Red Dog or Dhole, the Tiger and the Leopard. The last definite record of a Tiger was in 1947 and the last recorded sighting of a Leopard in 1957. The Eastern Chinese Otter, once abundant, is now a rare visitor, and of the carnivores, the South China Red Fox and the Chinese Leopard Cat have all but disappeared from Hong Kong.

The Barking Deer and the Wild Pig were once plentiful. Both are now rare in the New Territories and the remaining Barking Deer on Hong Kong Island are confined to a few areas, particularly the forests about Victoria Peak.

Of the larger indigenous mammals, the Chinese Pangolin (Scaly Anteater) which grows to three-and-a-half feet and is protected by horny scales, may occasionally be seen. Monkeys are to be seen on the hillslopes and the more daring ones on the motor roads near the Kowloon reservoirs.

Smaller mammals are abundant, with the Woodland Shrew and the House Shrew being 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 and on Hong Kong Island.

There is ample opportunity in Hong Kong for either serious study, or simple enjoyment, of bird life and the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society holds about 12 field outings each year. A total of 370 species, representing more than 60 different families, including resident and migrant birds, have so far been recorded.

The largest species is undoubtedly the Spotted-billed Pelican which comes in small numbers as a winter visitor to the Mai 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, which has dark brown plumage with light brown wings, can frequently be seen on the shrubby and wooded hillsides. The