October 2008

Two new cheque books of self adhesive stamps of the Fauna and Flora series are issued depicting the Daffodil and the Jay.

"Daffodil"

The Daffodil is a bulbous plant native to the Mediterranean basin and Asia. It belongs to the family of the Amaryllidaceae, the order of the Asparagales and the Narcissus genus. All Narcissus species have a central trumpet-, bowl-, or disc-shaped corona surrounded by a ring of six floral leaves called the perianth which is united into a tube at the forward edge of the ovary. The three outer segments are sepals, and the three inner segments are petals. Though the traditional daffodil may have a yellow to golden-yellow color all over, both in the wild species and due to breeding, the perianth and corona may be variously colored.. The name narcissus comes from the Greek word narkao (narcotic) and refers to the strong penetrating smell of some species. It is an ornamental plant. Breeders have developed some daffodils with double, triple, or ambiguously multiple rows and layers of segments and many colour variations.

"Jay"

The Jay or garrulus glandarius inhabits in coniferous and broadleaved woodlands, as well as in large wooded parks, preferably where there are oaks as well as in orchards and gardens. It belongs to the family of the Corvidae, the order of the Passeriformes and the Garrulus genus. It is a medium size bird measuring from 30 to 35 cm long and as all birds, it is omnivore. It is generally orangey-brown in colour, with a black tail, whitish throat and rump patch and a blue patch on the wings. It is a common bird throughout Europe and nests on trees and shrubs. It moves around in small family groups. They only lay from three to seven eggs once a year, after sixteen days of incubation. The chicks are fed by both parents for around six to eight weeks.