Indian Birds 1968
Complete Set of 4 nos. special postage stamp on the Birds of India : Red-billed blue magpie, Himalayan woodpecker, Slaty-headed scimitar babbler and Yellow-backed sunbird :
Issued by India
Issued on Dec 31, 1968
Issued for : India is well-known for the richness and variety of its fauna and flora. Situated in the tropical and temperate zones with parts of the country receiving heavy rainfall, India is a naturalist’s paradise. The postage stamps issued since our Independence have generally dealt with themes based on Indian history and culture. The issue of a stamp on the Indian Rhinoceros in 1962 and a series of 5 stamps on India’s wild life in 1963 broke new ground. These stamps have proved immensely popular both in India and abroad, proving that even in this technological age, nature still has the strongest appeal for man. And now we are reverting to the theme by issuing a series of four stamps on Indian birds.
Type : Stamp, Mint Condition
These stamps designed and printed at India Security Press, Nasik Road, by Photogravure Process on unwatermarked paper in 50–to–a sheet was released on the 31st Dec. 1968.
The design of the stamps have been adapted from “The Book of Indian Birds” and “Indian Hill Birds” by the kind courtesy of the author Dr. Salim Ali and the publishers The Bombay Natural History Society and Oxford University Press.
The Red Billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa erythrorhyncha) :
Description of Design : The design of the stamp is horizontal and depicts a bird “Blue Magpie” sitting on a branch of a tree.
Colour : Scarlet and Violet
Denomination : 20 Paise
Overall Size : 4.06 X 2.41 cms.
Printing Size : 3.70 X 2.05 cms.
Perforation : 14 x 14½
Number Printed : 50,00,000
About : This blue bird is about the size of a pigeon with the two central feathers of the tail 15 to 17 inches long. The head, neck and breast are black and underparts greyish white. The tail feathers are tipped white. The bill and the legs are crimson. The male and the female are alike. It is found throughout the Himalayas, upto an altitude of about 10,000 feet. This magpie is a common bird at all West Himalayan hill-stations. Its flight is noisy and slow, but with the long tail spread, a party in flight makes a charming spectacle.
The Brown–fronted Pied Wood–pecker (Dryobates himalyansis) :
Description of Design : The design of the stamp is horizontal and depicts a bird “Wood Pecker”.
Colour : Scarlet and Turquoise Blue
Denomination : 50 Paise
Overall Size : 4.06 X 2.40 cms.
Printing Size : 3.70 X 2.05 cms.
Perforation : 14 x 14½
Number Printed : 50,00,000
About : This hill bird is about 8 inches long and is common in the forests of Western Himalayas, at elevations between 2000 and 7000 feet. Its back is cross-barred black and white. There is a red patch under the tail. The crown in the male is golden-brown in front, crimson behind. The female lacks these colours on its head.
Slatyheaded Scimiter Babbler (Pomaterhinus schisticeps) :
Description of Design : The design of the stamp is vertical and depicts a bird “Babbler” sitting on a small portion of a branch of tree.
Colour : Blue Grey and Chestnut
Denomination : Re. 1
Overall Size : 4.06 X 2.41 cms.
Printing Size : 3.70 X 2.05 cms.
Perforation : 14½ x 14
Number Printed : 30,00,000
About : A dark-browned bird with white throat and breast, prominent white eye-brows and curved pointed yellow bill, it is found in forested country throughout India. It is a medium-sized bird of a length slightly over 8 inches, the male and the female being alike. It is a shy bird, usually rummaging on the ground under dense under-growth for insects and grubs. Its flight is feeble and ill-sustained. The male bird’s call is flute-like with 4 notes.
The Yellow–backed Sunbird (Aethopyga Siparaja) :
Description of Design : The design of the stamp is horizontal and depicts two birds (Sunbird) sitting on the branch of a tree.
Colour : Jade Green and Scarlet
Denomination : Rs. 2
Overall Size : 4.06 X 2.41 cms.
Printing Size : 3.70 X 2.05 cms.
Perforation : 14 x 14½
Number Printed : 30,00,000
About : Of the size of a sparrow, this is a brilliantly coloured, purple, green and crimson sunbird, with a long pointed metallic green tail and a distinctive yellow rump. It is found in moist evergreen forests throughout India. It flits about restlessly like a gem in the sunshine among shrubs, sometimes hanging upside down to probe into flowers for nectar. It also feeds on insects and spiders.
