Islands Stamps

South Seas Birds On Pacific

By K. Allen

rTEREST in zoology has been intensified amongst stamp col lectors with the inclusion re lently, in a new stamp issue for *apua-New Guinea, of studies of a ree-climbing kangaroo, a Bird of *aradise, and a flock of sheep.

A survey of stamps put out by the arious countries of the Pacific area eveals a variety of interesting bird nd animal life. A collection of hese would give satisfaction to very stamp-collecting zoologist or, or that matter, every stamp en husiast.

The Bird of Paradise has been sen on previous stamp issues by few Guinea and Papua. The beauti fl bird—the Lesser Bird of Fara ise—was featured on the long ;ries printed for New Guinea in 131. This was in connection with le 10th anniversary of Australia’s dministration, and the bird was lown in a palm tree.

The 2d Papuan stamp of 1932, le of 16 attractive pictorials, typi sd the Greater Bird of Paradise. was arrayed in angular format, •eminence being given to the long -il feathers. The bird’s wings and .il were fully extended,

A striking picture of the Kaka, or Hawk-Billed Parrot, figured on a 2/6 stamp printed for Tonga in 1897. Philatelists regard this as one of the most—if not the most —attractive of all zoological stamp designs. The parrot was shown up right on a tree branch.

It is of additional interest to re call that early stamps from Tonga were printed on paper bearing the watermark of tortoises. The ap pearance of this reptile in this form commemorated the fact that when Captain Cook visited these, the Friendly Islands, he gave the rulers Tonga’s famous tortoise.

A Torea, or Wrybill, was por trayed flying happily “with the wind” on id stamps on sale in the Cook Islands in 1893. Subsequent values were added, but in the 2d value a curious mistake occurred on one stamp in a sheet—the actual amount was missing.

An issue of Id pictorial stamps in 1949 by the Cook Islands intro duced the Tavake, or Bosun Bird whose tail feathers have a certain commercial value. A portrait of Captain Cook and a map of the Hervey Islands were also on the stamp.

In 1905, New Caledonian stamps presented the Kagu, or short-legged crane, in a vertical posture, wings outspread. In 1942, other NC stamps featured characteristic impressions of the bird in flight. Several Kagu, one feeding, another watchfully alert, were on some additional

stamps placed on sale in 1948.

In 1903, the 50th anniversary of the French occupation of New Cale donia was celebrated, and current stamps of the island were issued carrying a surcharge illustrating the Kagu.

The beautiful Sambar Stag was shown on stamps struck in 1928 by New Caledonia.

Stamps used by French Oceanic Settlements in the Pacific have commemorated well-known birds.

The 1948 pictorial issues depicted Frigate Birds in different settings, mostly in flight over prominent landmarks.

Another peaceful Frigate Bird was represented on the id stamp issued by Gilbert and Ellice Islands in 1939. It appeared at rest, wings folded, on a branch.

In the same year the British Solomon Islands produced a beau tiful pictorial set, with the 2/6 denominating, featuring a repro duction of several Megapodes, com monly called Scrub-Turkey. They were shown feeding as they walked on the seashore, flanked by tropi cal palms.

The 5d pictorial stamp produced for Western Samoa last year showed the Manumea, or Tooth-Billed Pigeon. This well-fed bird was etched, on a branch.