Provincial Birds of Finland 15.1.2003

Pia gave me this FDC with the three lovely bird stamps on it which were issued in Finland on 15.01.2003. The birds on the stamps, reading from left to right are described below.

Common Cuckoo. The Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) (formerly European Cuckoo) is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners, the anis and the coucals. This species is a widespread summer migrant to Europe and Asia, and winters in Africa. It is a brood parasite, which lays its eggs in the nests of other bird species, particularly of Dunnocks, Meadow Pipits, and Eurasian Reed Warblers. Why a stupid human being is often compared to these pretty birds is beyond my comprehension.

Skylark. The Skylark (Alauda arvensis) is a small passerine bird species. This lark breeds across most of Europe and Asia and in the mountains of North Africa. It is mainly resident in the west of its range, but eastern populations are more migratory, moving further south in winter. Even in the milder west of its range, many birds move to lowlands and the coast in winter. Asian birds appear as vagrants in Alaska; this bird has also been introduced in Hawaii, western North America, eastern Australia and New Zealand.

Siberian Jay. The Siberian Jay Perisoreus infaustus, is a jay found in north Eurasia. The species has a wide range (estimated global Extent of Occurrence 10,000,000km²) and a large global population (estimated 680,000-1,400,000 in Europe). It is one of three members of the genus Perisoreus, the others being the Sichuan Jay, P. internigrans, restricted to the mountains of eastern Tibet and northwestern Sichuan, and the Gray Jay, P. canadensis, restricted to the boreal forest and western montane regions of North America. All three species

Moldova 25.12.1993 - Tulips

This Rare species of Tulip with golden yellow flowers and violet tinted back is featured on this stamp on the Moldovan FDC dated 25.12.1993 was sent to me by Lissea.

The radiant golden-yellow flowers of this rare treasure open in April on strong 18-inch stems. The "petals" – which are pointed in lily-tulip fashion – have a broad central band of olive-green on their exteriors. A sunny site with relatively dry soil in summer is ideal. Steppe/modified continental; E Europe. Zone 5.Normally found in theEuropean part of Russia (central regions), Crimea, the Caucasus, Aralo-Caspian region, western Siberia, Balkan Peninsula and Anatolia. In steppes, semideserts, foothills, plains and other dry habitats.

Wright Brothers - Equatorial Guinea stamp MNH 1979 Aviation sheet

The Wright brothers, Orville (August 19, 1871 – January 30, 1948) and Wilbur (April 16, 1867 – May 30, 1912), were two Americans credited with inventing and building the world's first successful airplane and making the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight, on December 17, 1903. In the two years afterward, the brothers developed their flying machine into the first practical fixed-wing aircraft. Although not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft, the Wright brothers were the first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed-wing powered flight possible.

The Wright brothers were two of seven children born to Milton Wright (1828–1917) of English and Dutch descent and Susan Catherine Koerner (1831–1889) of German-Swiss descent. Wilbur was born near Millville, Indiana, in 1867; Orville in Dayton, Ohio, in 1871. The brothers never married (no interference – that must have been the secret of their successes in Aviation). The other Wright siblings were named Reuchlin (1861–1920), Lorin (1862–1939), Katharine (1874–1929), and twins Otis and Ida (born 1870, died in infancy). In elementary school, Orville was given to mischief and was once expelled. In 1878 their father, who traveled often as a bishop in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, brought home a toy "helicopter" for his two younger sons. The device was based on an invention of French aeronautical pioneer Alphonse Pénaud. Made of paper, bamboo and cork with a rubber band to twirl its rotor, it was about a foot long. Wilbur and Orville played with it until it broke, and then built their own. In later years, they pointed to their experience with the toy as the initial spark of their interest in flying.

This sheetlet of eight stamps was issued by the Republic of Equatorial Giinea on 1st May, 1979. The top four stamps feature Orville Wright, and the lower four show Wilbur Wright. These stamps were issued to commemorate Aviation.

1985 EUROPA CEPT - Cyprus - European Music Year 6.5.1985

The theme for the Europa CEPT stamps for 1985 was that the year would be dedicated as the “European Music Year”. In keeping with this theme Cyprus issued these two stamps. One featuring two traditional musical instruments, and the other clay model figures depicting ancient musicians. And a well-illustrated cover celebrating this great cause on 6^th May, 1985. Merja sent me this nice and pretty First Day Cover.

Birds of Canada

The birds featured on the stamps in this FDC issued on 21.02.2003, are (top left to right) Leach’s Storm Petrel and a brant, and (lower left to right) are shown a Great Cormorant and a Common murre. Maria sent me this lovely FDC.

Abe Lincoln Death Anniversary Centenary Issue 1965

This minisheet of four stamps in Honour of Abraham Lincoln was issued by Ghana to commemorate his 100^th Death anniversary.

Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and promoting economic and financial modernization. Reared in a poor family on the western frontier, Lincoln was mostly self-educated. He became a country lawyer, an Illinois state legislator, and a one-term member of the United States House of Representatives, but failed in two attempts at a seat in the United States Senate. He issued his Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and promoted the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery.

As the leader of the moderate faction of the Republican party, Lincoln's policies and personality were "blasted from all sides": Radical Republicans demanded harsher treatment of the South, War Democrats desired more compromise, Copperheads despised him, and irreconcilable secessionists plotted his death. Politically, Lincoln fought back with patronage, by pitting his opponents against each other, and by appealing to the American people with his powers of oratory. His Gettysburg Address of 1863 became the most quoted speech in American history. It was an iconic statement of America's dedication to the principles of nationalism, equal rights, liberty, and democracy. At the close of the war, Lincoln held a moderate view of Reconstruction, seeking to speedily reunite the nation through a policy of generous reconciliation in the face of lingering and bitter divisiveness. However, just six days after the surrender of Confederate commanding general Robert E. Lee, Lincoln was assassinated by actor and Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre while watching the play Our American Cousin. His death marked the first assassination of a U.S. president. Lincoln has been consistently ranked by scholars as one of the three greatest U.S. presidents.