2001.02.01

Miniature Sheet:

First Day Cover:

Miniature sheet containing 2 stamps

Printing: Lithography
Paper: Special stamp paper with OBA free coating
Stamp size: 48 x 31.9mm
S/S size: 122 x 86mm
Perforation: 14 per 2cm
Designs: $2 The Orange Dove
$2 Xixuthrus heynovskyl (Beetle)37p Striated Caracara
Stamp Format: Portrait
Designer: Mr. George Bennett
Author: Kim Gravelle
Printer: Joh. Enschedé Security Printers

Information Courtesy of Fiji Museum

Botanists and zoologists have been fascinated with the creatures found in Fiji's rainforest for more than 150 years. The flora and fauna of the rainforest canopy on Fiji's third largest island, Taveuni, depicted on this Souvenir Sheet represent some of the most spectacular natural heritage of the island.

The $2 stamps (perforated in the Souvenir Sheet) dramatically highlight the Orange Dove (Chrysoenas victor) which is endemic to Fiji's northern islands, and the third largest beetle in the world, the Xixuthrus heyrovskyi, a beetle so rare that most Taveuni residents have never seen one.

The Orange Dove, found only on Taveuni, Vanua Levu, and a few thickly-forested islands directly offshore, is rarely seen - but not particularly rare. Only the male has such bright plumage (the female is a dark green) and the shy bird's unusual 'tock tock' cry is common to heavily-forested northern islands. Brightly-coloured though it is, the Orange Dove is shy and, even for the trained bird-watcher, difficult to see.

The longhorn beetle, Xixuthrus, grows up to 20cm in length and is found only on the Fiji Islands of Taveuni and Vanua Levu - and even then, only occasionally. When alarmed or angry, the beetle makes a squeaking noise.

Other rainforest dwellers, all native to Ta veuni and some endemic, include

(1) The Pacific Boa (Candoia bibroni)
is one of two known species of terrestrial snakes and is neither common nor so rare as to be threatened. It can grow to a length of about two metres and feeds on its prey by striking, constricting, and then, with hinged jaws capable of opening very widely, slowly swallowing its catch, always head-first.

(2) The Red Breasted Musk Parrot (Prosopeia tabuensis)
is also known as the Red Shining Parrot; the crimson or dark red underbelly and blue tail and flight feathers making it one of the more handsome (and illegally collected) forest dwellers. Its bright red feathers were used as decoration and mat trim in pre-colonial times, and the bird was introduced to Tonga in the 18th Century before the arrival of Europeans. Musk parrots, particularly the Yellow Breasted Musk Parrot, which is endemic to Viti Levu, have a noticeable 'musky' smell; hence the name.

(3) The Fijian Monkey-Faced Bat (Pteralopex acrodonta)
is endemic to Taveuni and occupies such a small habitat on the island that some zoologists claim the bat is one of the world's rarest mammals. It is Fiji's only endemic mammal. Pteralopex has a khaki or golden-coloured fur, bright orange eyes, and the ability to fly very slowly, avoiding obstacles. Like other fruit bats, it relies on eyesight and superb night-vision rather than echo-location to find its ways in the dark.

(4) Xixuthrus heyrovskyi
- $2 stamp.

(5) The Giraffe Weevil (Bulbogaster ctenostomoides)
is a weevil. The 'giraffe' name comes from its strange elongated shape. Shiny black, both males and females have long snouts, in the latter a useful tool for boring holes in dead trees, which provide their usual habitat.

(6) Xois sesara is one of a few endemic butterflies in Fiji and usually inhabits the lower levels of forest clearings. The striking 'eye' pattern makes it easily identifiable, but more importantly, the eye probably scares off predatory birds. Its wings are white on top, a reddish brown on the bottom, and in flight, the butterfly produces an almost 'strobe' effect.

(7) Dendrobium tokai, like most Fiji orchids, is not as flashy and colourful as some of the 30,000 natural species (and 50,000 hybrids) which make up the world's orchid collection, but orchids are aesthetically beautiful and admired everywhere on the globe. This one is common to both bush and garden in Fiji, usually growing on mature trees.

(8) Euploea boisduvalii herrichi is a common butterfly in Fiji - the purple flashes of its wings best displayed in strong sunlight. The butterfly's chrysalis looks as if it was made of polished gold and jade, an exquisite jewel of nature.

(9) Orange Dove (Chrysoenas victor) - $2 stamp.

(10) Silk Tail (Lamprolia victoriae) is common only on the island of Taveuni, but found occasionally on Vanua Levu. Silk Tails rarely emerge from underneath the canopy of dense, mature rainforests, a restless bird which moves up and down large tree trunks amidst the dark foliage. Once 'found', though, the silk tail is not shy and is easy to watch. Usually silent, the bird's velvet, blue-black plumage would be difficult to detect were it not for the silky, white and unmistakable 'flag' on its tail.

(11) Cerambyrrhynchus schoenherri is another beetle in the weevil family; its unusually long antennae is thought to be used for detecting a chemical odour in searching out a mate. Found throughout Fiji, only the male has long antennae. Unlike weevils, this beetle is not an agricultural pest and is usually found in the forest, where its dull colour patterns blend easily with the bark which is its normal habitat.

(12) A Cicada, of the order Hemiptera (species unknown). Cicadas are seldom seen, but can make an amazingly raucous din. Only the males possess the 'tymbal organs' which make so much noise, however, prompting one wit to comment: "Happy are cicada lives, for they have only voiceless wives". These days, such comment would be considered socially chauvinistic. The leaf-coloured bug vibrates with such temerity, it's possible to feel the vibrations when hand-held. The cicada illustrated is one of Taveuni's smaller species, but larger cicadas are found at higher altitudes.

(13) Tagimaucia (Medinilla waterhousei) is Fiji's national flower. It is found only in the mountains of Taveuni and a solitary peak on Vanua Levu. Legends abound, but the most popular one describes a Fijian maiden betrothed to an old man. She runs into the forest to hide, becomes lost, and falls asleep in the surrounding vines. When her rescuers find her, vibrant red (branches and bracts) and white flowers grow where her tears touched the vines, and the searchers called the plant Tagimaucia, meaning 'to cry in one's sleep'. When the plant is not flowering, it is difficult to see. PostScript - the girl in the legend wa s allowed to marry her true love.

(14) Taveuni native orchid (species unknown). The artist discovered this orchid in central Taveuni at an altitude of about 1000 feet. It continued to flower regularly and survive when relocated to his greenhouse at coastal elevation. A correct species identification would be of interest to the Fiji Philatelic Bureau.

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