Indian Birds 31.12.1968

India is well known for the richness and variety of its flora and fauna. Situated in the tropical and temperate zones with parts of the country receiving heavy rainfall, India is a naturalist's paradise. This series of four stamps on Indian Birds just proves this.

THE RED BILLED BLUE MAGPIE (Urocissa erythrorhyncha) 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 undrparts greyish white. The tail feathers are tipped white. The bill and the legs are crimson. The mail 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 marks a charming spectacle.

THE BROWN-FRONTED PIED WOOD PECKER (Dryobates himalyansis) The hill bird is about 8 inches long and is common in the forests of Western Himalaya at elevations between 2000 to 7000 feet. Its neck is cross-barred blck and white. There is a red patch nder the tail. The crown in themale is golden-brown in front, crimson behind. The female lacks these colours on its head.

THE YELLOW-BACKED SLATY HEADED SUNBIRD (Aethopyga Siparaja) 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.

SLATYHEADED SCIMITER BABBLER (Pomaterhhinus schisticeps) A dark-brown 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 illsustained. The male bird's call is flute-like with 4 notes.