ST. HELENA

18p Java Sparrow: this seed-eating species is not native to St. Helena (being originally from Indonesia) but is a popular cage bird worldwide, so could well be introduced. The rugged, stark landscape of St. Helena is shown in the background.

TRISTAN da CUNHA / Nightingale Island

50p Profile of Nightingale Island, one of the most remote of the Tristan da Cunha group, named for British Captain Gamaliel Nightingale. Interesting details on these islands can be found at: www.tristandc.com/nightingale

TONGA

P1: This lovely stamp shows a sunset scene and boats off the island of Vava'u

VANUATU

Masks and Art: this series shows some of the stunning objets d'art from the varied cultures of Vanuatu's islands. 65v shows a mask from North Ambrym. 85v displays a mask from Uripiv Is. / Malakula and 95v shows two wooden carvings, from Pentecost and the Vao Islands.

VANUATU

25v This issue shows a detailed map of most of the islands in the Vanuatu chain, as well as some of the commercial fish such as the Ruby Snapper (lower left)

VANUATU

75v Anniv. of Independence: Vanuatru is one of the newest island countries in existence, having gained independence in 1980; it was formerly known as the New Hebrides

VANUATU

35v Volcanic Eruptions: many of the islands of this archipelago are volcanic in origin, and some have sported spectacular eruptions in recent years

MADAGASCAR

300 Ar: Postal services for all with a design incorporating various national flags, a 2009 issue possibly linked to the 24th UPU Congress held in Nairobi, Kenya

PALAU

1c Gray-backed White-eye

41c Hypolimnas butterfly

Cancelled in Koror, the capital.

COOK IS.

10c Blue Lorikeet (Vini peruviana): this species is native to mixed lowland forest in the Society, Tuamotu and Cook Is. and is critically endangered and has been extirpated on many islands by predatory rats introduced by man or shipping activities.

MARQUESAS (FR. POLYNESIA)

90 fr: this stunning 2001 nature issue shows the plunging terrain and lush vegetation of Hakaui Valley on Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands, part of French Polynesia

NETH. ANTILLES

85c, 1 fl: these stamps were issued as a se-tenant design of birds of various denominations. The two pictured show the golden oriole and the yellow fronted Amazon parrot, two local species. The label images show two old world species: the European bee-eater and an African Starling, neither of which is native to the islands.

NEW CALEDONIA

70fr this issue shows an extinct megatoothed shark from the prehistoric fossil record, that once roamed the seas between 25 and 1.5 million years ago

COOK IS.

20c Pacific Mini Games 2009: Shotput and Discus