Author: thedigitalphilatelist

The Wattle Plover (Vanellus senegallus) is a large lapwing, a group of largish waders in the family Charadriidae. It is a resident breeder in most of sub-Saharan Africa outside the rainforests, although it has seasonal movements. “The yellow-orange wattles distinguish this from other plovers. The rather plaintive call is also…

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The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large cat native to Africa. It is the fastest land animal, capable of running at 80 to 98 km/h (50 to 61 mph); as such, it has evolved specialized adaptations for speed, including a light build, long thin legs and a long tail. Its…

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Burchell’s zebra (Equus quagga burchellii formerly Equus burchelli) is a southern subspecies of the Plains zebra. It is named after the British explorer and naturalist William John Burchell. As European settlement spread northward from the Cape to colonial southern Rhodesia, this subspecies was thought to have been hunted to extinction.…

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Publications Animals of Rhodesia (Rhodesia National Tourist Board) A African Baobab (Adansonia digitata) African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana) African Leopard (Panthera pardus pardus) African Lion (Pathera leo) Aloe Aloe arborescens Aloe chabaudii Aloe excelsa Aloe inyangensis Aloe musapana Aloe ortholopha Aloe pretoriensis Aloe saponaria Angolan…

View More Rhodesia Philately: Flora & Fauna

The half-collared kingfisher (Alcedo semitorquata) is a kingfisher in the subfamily Alcedininae that is found in southern and eastern Africa. It feeds almost exclusively on fish and frequents streams, rivers and larger bodies of water with dense shoreline vegetation. “The black bill distinguishes this species from the other small blue…

View More Rhodesia Philately: Half-Collared Kingfisher (Alcedo semitorquata)

Umtali was founded in 1897 as a fort, located about 8 km from the border with Mozambique. It is sometimes also the “Gateway to the Eastern Highlands”. In 1891, the town was moved to a site known as Old Mutare. In 1896 the construction of the railway between Beira and Bulawayo…

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Christmas Pass is a mountain pass that leads into Umtali from the west. The pass was so named by some of the colonial pioneers who camped at the foot of the pass on Christmas Day 1890. Things To Do Kingsley Fairbridge Memorial References Wikipedia: Mutare

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The golden-breasted bunting (Emberiza flaviventris) is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae. It occurs in dry open woodlands and moist savanna in Africa south of the Sahara, but is absent from the equatorial forest belt. “This is another bird that has adapted to man’s gardens and can become…

View More Rhodesia Philately: Golden-Breasted Bunting (Emberiza flaviventris)

Shoulder height about 5½ ft., up to 1,200 lbs.; yellow-fawn light lower face and chest, dark nose, humped shoulders; nearly straight horns, spiralled at base, project back and outwards; horns of female lighter than male; pronounced dewlap in male; largest antelope; predominantly a browser; large herds; placccid, shy; fairly wide…

View More Rhodesia Philately: Eland (Taurotragus oryx)

  J Gaffen & Son were located in the Brest Buildings, 8th Avenue, Bulawayo. They were watchmakers, jewellers and engravers. By 1977, the business had relocated to 88 Selbourne Avenue.

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