10 interesting myths about sun

1. Egypt’s Ra

Worship of the ancient sun god Ra, a.k.a. Re, wasn’t limited to Heliopolis in Egypt: he lent his name to Egyptian kings, who took the title Son of Ra. Fittingly, given the sun’s role in enabling life, he was also a creator god. His preferred method of transportation was a ship rather than a chariot, and, so the story goes, he used it not just in the sky but also in the underworld at night. He was believed to be reborn each day.
 

 

2. The Sun Orbits the Earth

Much as we may persist in acting like we’re at the center of the universe, we obviously know that’s hardly the case. Yet Ptolemy’s geocentric model, worked out around A.D. 150 (some 1,400 years before Copernicus developed his heliocentric one) was accepted for centuries. According to the cosmos of the ancient astronomer and mathematician in Alexandria, the sun was the fourth sphere from the central, stationary Earth, in between Venus and Mars.

3. Apollo

In legend, the ancient Greek deity Apollo, the son of Zeus, master of Olympus, rode a chariot pulled by fiery horses across the sky every day to bring light to the world. Venerated in various guises and incarnations throughout classical antiquity, radiant Apollo came to represent not only the sun, but also other illuminating fields of music, logic and reason. In The Birth of Tragedy, Friedrich Nietzsche, the 19th century German philosopher, described what he termed the Apollonian tendency as a kind of ordering impulse, bringing discipline and structure to the irrational, feral impulses that underlie all human expression. That’s quite a task, even for the guy who rides a flying chariot every day.

4. Huitzilopochtli, Aztec God of Sun and War

Huitzilopochtli’s name is a combination of two Nahuatl (or Aztecan) words, huitzilin, meaning hummingbird, and opochtli, which means left — the god’s name translates literally as “Hummingbird on the Left.” This resulted in Huitzilopochtli often being depicted as a blue- or green-colored hummingbird or as a warrior whose armor and helmet were made of hummingbird features. But Aztecs also believed dead warriors were reincarnated as hummingbirds and they called the south the left side of the world. So, translated another way, Huitzilopochtli’s name means “Resuscitated Warrior of the South.” The Aztecs believed their sun god, who was said to be in constant struggle with darkness, required blood from a human heart as nourishment to ensure his survival. To feed their god, the people of the sun offered up their own in the form of human sacrifice.

5. The 10 Suns

Once upon a time there were 10 suns in the sky, according to Chinese mythology. They would travel individually with their mother, goddess Xihe, until one day they decided to appear in the sky at the same time. The heat from the combined suns, however, was so immense that the father of the suns, Dijun, ordered each of them to behave. But they did not heed his warnings. So Dijun sent the archer Yi to shoot the suns away, killing nine of them and leaving only one.

6. The Inuit Moon and Sun Gods

The Inuit, a group of indigenous people who live in Alaska, Greenland and the Arctic, explain the existence of the sun and the moon with the legend of the moon god Anningan and his sister, the sun goddess Malina. The story goes that the two once resided together and, as siblings are wont to do, got into a quarrel one day. Malina stormed off. Anningan followed. Tales differ on the cause of the spat and whether or not Anningan was following to apologize or to argue some more. But because he is in constant pursuit, he neglects to eat and gets thinner and thinner, which explains the waning phase of the moon. When the moon disappears, the Inuit believe that Anningan has gone away to eat. Then, during the moon’s waxing period, he starts his search anew. When he finally is able to catch up to Malina, it causes a solar eclipse.

7. Lugus

Like many other pre-Christian deities, the Celtic sun god Lugus, or Lugh in Ireland, is remembered in some legends as a quasi-historical figure, a shimmering, brilliant warrior king who helped a tribe of ancient Irish win a war against a race of giants. Leading the giants, known as the Formorians, was Balor, an evil god of the underworld who happened to be Lugus’ grandfather. Balor’s great power emanated from a magical Cyclops-like eye, but in battle Lugus managed to sling a stone into Balor’s socket, pushing the eye out of the back of his head so it wreaked havoc upon the army of giants arrayed behind Balor. A multifaceted deity, Lugus was tied to fertility rites, skills of invention and harvest cycles. The story of his victory over Balor is similar to a host of other mythological tales in the Indo-European tradition, in which a young, plucky usurper and his allies supplant the old rulers of land, who were often denizens of some dark underworld realm.

8. A Norse Sun God

In Norse mythology, Freyr was the ruler of peace, fertility, rain and sunshine. He was a pretty powerful dude. Legend says that Freyr rode a boar named Gullinbursti, which could travel across the sky and the ocean. And if he got bored, he could bust out his own ship, the Skiobloanir, which was the finest of ships in Scandinavia. When the ship wasn’t in use, Freyr would fold it up and store it in his pocket.

9. Surya, the Hindu Sun God

According to ancient Hindu mythology, Surya, as the sun god, represents the visible form of the divine, one that you can plainly see every day. Depicted as a red man with three eyes and four arms, the deity is commonly pulled around in a chariot, carried by either seven horses or one horse with seven heads. Surya is also believed to heal the sick, and as such is honored with temples and festivals throughout India. The sun god is also believed to bring good fortune — an attribute that prompts many shopkeepers to place the symbol of the sun over the doors of their shops.

10. Lisa and Mawu

The Fon people of Benin and the Ewe people — who are dispersed throughout Ghana, Benin and Togo — count Lisa (the sun deity) and Mawu (the moon deity) as twins in one spirit. The two together are regarded as the creators of the universe, with Mawu representing motherhood and fertility while Lisa is seen as the embodiment of heat, work and strength.

formation of earth

Big Bang

In the beginning there is only a super-massive gaseous point in our empty universe. Instantaneously and randomly, enough energy is created to break the gravitational bond holding this massive body together, exploding the super-heated particles throughout space. In less than one millionth of a second, protons, neutrons, electrons, and their anti-particles begin to form.
As time moves on, particles begin to cool by giving off energy, which allows them to combine to create the first and most simple ion, hydrogen, as well as a few more massive atoms.
More time passes; the atoms are becoming more abundant in the universe. They begin to pull together through atomic forces and the gravitational force. Gaseous bodies become more massive, attracting more atoms and becoming more massive. The gravitational force of these early bodies are so great that they collapse in on themselves, beginning fusion.
Hydrogen atoms combine, yielding larger atoms and enormous amounts of energy; enough energy to keep these stars from collapsing. Eventually, the fusion process has to end and the star will explode, sending out more massive atoms into the universe.
Over time, these atoms collect and combine to create planets, smaller stars, asteroids, and numerous other solid bodies.

Formation of the Milky Way Galaxy 

It is hypothesized that early in the life of our universe, as matter was quickly expanding outwards, clusters of gigantic amounts of matter began orbiting around a common center of mass. These became early galaxies, which would grow in size from such things as collisions with other galaxies. The spiral Milky Way Galaxy is just one of an unknown number of galaxies in the universe, so not at all totally unique. 

Formation of Solar System

As matter began to condense and stars began to form, one such star appeared where the Sun now appears within the Milky Way Galaxy. After igniting with fusion and burning its usable hydrogen and other larger elements, the star exploded, sending matter out in all directions. Once again, through gravitational forces, this matter eventually cooled and collected in a few key areas, forming the planets and the asteroid belt. The asteroid belt is simply an early form of the collection of matter that was not able to completely form a planet due to Jupiter's gravity. Some early planets may have collided with other early planets, creating larger planets, moons, or possibly space rocks. In the meantime, a smaller star began to form at the center of the previous explosion and our Sun started its fusion process again.

Formation of the Earth  

The Earth was one of the planets formed from the collapse of the first star. However, it is unique in many ways. It is the only planet with visible surface water, which is explained by the precise temperature and atmospheric pressure the Earth maintains. Seasons, though mild near the equator, are caused because the Earth's axis is tilted approximately 23 degrees. Earth's atmosphere is also unique, in that it contains oxygen, which is essential for life. At one time, a large asteroid may have collided with the planet, breaking off a large piece of it, which would eventually become our Moon. However, many questions still go unanswered about the formation of the Earth and how its processes began. 
 
Still unknown   

Questions about the beginning of the universe are obviously brought up when discussing it. How can a sphere of infinite mass, and therefore infinite gravity, explode? Is there enough energy to keep the universe expanding? Or will it eventually cave back in on itself?
Is the universe constant, or is it random? Why is matter, not anti-matter, present in such larger amounts?
For every answer we now have, two questions have been raised. Perhaps there is no beginning and no end, but for now, the Big Bang is the best model we have.

 

Birds

LOCAL NAME : Kakkattaravu
SIZE : Somewhat larger than the Jungle Crow, with longer neck and tail.
Field Characters : A glistening black duck-like water bird with a longer stiff tail and slender compressed bill sharply hooked at the tip. A small white patch on throat, and suggestion of a nuchal crest. Sexes alike. Singly or in flocks, on or near water.Cormorants are almost exclusively fish-eaters. They chase and capture their quarry under water, being expert divers and submarine swimmers. Flocks sometimes hunt in concert in the manner of pelicans. They also hunt individually. When satiated, the birds may be seen sitting on a rock or sandbank, or on stakes or trees in or near the water, drying themselves with outstretched wings.
Eggs- 4 or 5, long narrow ovals, bluish white in color with a chalky texture. Average SIZE 44.8x29.0mm

LOCAL NAME : Chera-Kozhi
SIZE : About that of the Kite
Field Characters : A black, cormorant-like water bird with a long and very slender S-shaped neck, narrow head and pointed dagger bill. Back heavily streaked with silver-grey; head and neck velvety brown; chin and throat whitish. Tail long, stiff and wedge-shaped(almost rounded). Sexes alike. Singly or in loose parties on tanks&c Resident. Fairly common, but not abundant. Affects open placid streams, village tanks, and dammed reservoirs. On the last the exposed tops of the submerged dead tress provide favorite lookout and wing-drying posts. This is also found in Ceylon , all India , burma , Malaysia ,,Indochinese countries to the Phluppines. Other races occur in America , Africa and Australia . Eggs 3 or 4, very elongated,
pale greenish blue with whitish chalky coating. Average SIZE 52.9x33.5mm

LOCAL NAME : Charamunti
SIZE : About the same as the Purple Heron
Field Characters: Like the Purple Heron but ashy grey above with white crown and neck; grayish white below. Long black occipitai crest. Elongated white feathers on the breast with some black streaks. A conspicuous black dotted line down the middle of the fore neck. In the female the crest and pectoral plumes are less developed. Solitary, on reedy marshes. Distribution outside kerala is in Ceylon , all India , Burma , Malaysia . This race ranges from Iraq eastward to the Philippines.The species overall is found throughout the Old World . Eggs – almost indistinguishable from those of the Purple Heron. Average SIZE 58.6X43.5 mm.

LOCAL NAME : Chinna-kokku.
SIZE : About the same as, or slightly smaller than, the Pond Heron.
Field Charaters : Like the Pond Heron in general effect but largely blackish grey, glossy dark green and bronze-green above; ashy grey below. Top of head and long occipital crest black, glossed with dark green. Chin and throat white. Sexes alike. Solitary, in screwpine thickets and brushwood near water.Resident. Not common. Low country, and to at least 2000 ft. (c. 600 m). Keeps to brushwood in and on the banks of rocky streams. Distribution outside kerala is in Ceylon , India , Burma , Thailand , South China , Malaysia.The species in numerous races is practically cosmopolitan. Eggs – 3 to 5, very like the Pond Heron's. Average SIZE 39.5X29.7 mm

LOCAL NAME : Kulamunti, Kulakokku.
SIZE : Slightly smaller than the Cattle Egret. About that of a village hen.
Field Characters : An egret-like marsh bird, largely snow-white but effectively obliterated while at rest by a camouflaging earthy-brown mantle. In the breeding season a bunch of filamentous maroon hair-like plumes covers the back, and a long white occipital crest adorns the head. Sexes alike. Singly or in loose parties, at streams, tanks and puddles. The food of the Pond Heron consists mainly of frogs, fish, crabs and insects. Resident. Common. Low country, and up to at least 3000 ft., c. 900 m. ( Periyar Lake and environs). Affects streams, tanks, inundated paddy fields, flooded ditches, &c., by the coastal backwaters as well as inland.Distribution Outside Kerala is in all India , Burma , Thailand , Malaysia , &c. West to the Persian Gulf . A different race (phillipsi) in the Maldive Islands . Eggs- 3 to 5, pale greenish blue. Average SIZE 38.0X28.5 mm.

LOCAL NAME : Kalimunti
SIZE : Same as the Little Egret. About that of the domestic hen; lankier and more leggy.
Field Characters : Snow-white overall, very similar to the Little Egret, with which it may sometimes be confused. But the colour of its bill-yellow (instead of black) – is always diagnostic. In the breeding season the head, neck and back turn a distinctive golden, orange-buff. Sexes alike. Flocks, attending on grazing cattle. Resident (presumably). Apparently much more abundant in Ferguson 's day than at present, but still the commonest of all the egrets. Frequents paddy fields along the backwaters, cultivated and fallow land, chiefly in attendance on grazing cattle.Distribution Outside Kerala is in Ceylon, all India, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia to the Philippines and Eastern China.The nominate race occurs in Africa, S.Europe and W.Asia. Its food consists very largely of bluebottle flies picked off the grass or weeds. The bird poises its bill, sways its neck comically from side to side to get a correct aim, as it were, and jabs at the quarry. Grasshoppers and other insects, as well as frogs and lizards, are also eaten.Eggs – 3 to 5, pale skim-milk blue in colour, unmarked. Average SIZE 44.1X33.6 mm.

LOCAL NAME: Perumunti
SIZE: About the same as, or slightly smaller than, the Grey Heron.
Field Characters: A large, lanky, snow-white, heron-like marsh bird with bare blackish legs, long slender neck and head, and pointed black or yellow bill. In the breeding season a bunch of ornamental filamentous plumes (‘aigrettes') develops on the back, falling over beyond the tail. No crest or breast plumes. Sexes alike. Solitary, on marshes and tanks &c.Resident. Uncommon. Frequents waterlogged paddy stubbles, reedy islets and mud-banks in the coastal backwaters &c. Distribution outside kerala is in Ceylon, all India, Burma, Malaysia, Indochinese countries to Japan and Australia Its food – insects, frogs, fish, small reptiles, &c. – is procured in shallow water or from the squelchy mud. Eggs – 3 to 4 , very like those of the Grey and Purple Herons, but somewhat smaller. Average SIZE 54.0X38.6 mm.

LOCAL NAME: Cherumunti
SIZE: Slightly smaller than the Large Egret.
Field Characters: Somewhat smaller, but otherwise very like the Large Egret and easily confused with it. Differentiation more satisfactory in breeding plumage, when it has decomposed ornamental plumes on both back and breast. No crest. Sexes alike. Solitary, or in small parties at marshes. Resident. Fairly common but not abundant. Frequents the coastal backwaters, as well as tanks and inundated paddy cultivation inland. Much persecuted by local shikaris and as a rule inordinately wary everywhere. Distribution outside kerala is in Ceylon , all India , Burma , Malaysia , Indochinese countries to Japan and the Philippines . Average SIZE of eggs 47.6x35.8mm.

              

LOCAL NAME: Chinnamunti.
SIZE: Smaller than the last. About that of a domestic hen,with longer legs and neck.
Field Characters: A lanky snow-white marsh bird- a smaller edition of the Large Egret. In the breeding season it develops a long drooping crest of two narrow plumes, in addition to filamentous ornamental feathers(airgrettes) on both breast and back. Bill black at all seasons. Feet particoloured yellow and black. Sexes alike. Flocks, on marsh land. Resident,Commoner that the lat two, but not abundant. Frequents the backwaters,inundated and waterlogged cultivation, tanks,streams, &c. Distribution outside kerala is in Ceylon , all India , Burma , Malaysia to China and Japan . Also Europe , Africa and W. Asia . Eggs – 3 to 5, of the usual blue-green colour. Average SIZE 44.4X31.7 mm.

LOCAL NAME: Tiramunti
SIZE: About that of the Little Egret.
Field Characters: General effect as of the Little Egret, also with particoloured feet, but found in two colour phases: 1) pure white, 2) bluish slate with a white patch on throat. Occasional examples are intermediate, being partly white and partly slaty. A backwardly drooping crest of two narrow plumes is acquired in the breeding season.The white phase is easily confused with the Little Egret, but its more solitary habit and seacost habitat usually distinguish it. Sexes alike. Resident. Not common. Frequents the coastal backwaters, keeping to the waterline on mud-banks &c., or perched on stones or fishing stakes in shallow water. Rarely inland; once near Coimbatore (Pillai, 1959, JBNHS 57 (1): 222). Distribution outside kerala is in Ceylon and up along the western coast of India to the Persian Gulf . Also the Laccadive Islands . Fish, particularly the mud-crawler (Periopthalmus), crustaceans and molluscs are the principal food items.
Eggs – 3 or 4, pale sea-green or blue-green, unmarked. Average SIZE 44.9X34.3 mm.

LOCAL NAME: Toppi-kokku, pathirakokku
SIZE: Larger than the Pond Heron; about that of the Kite.
Field Characters: A stocky egret-like bird of the same general effect as the Pond Heron but with a stouter bill. Ashy grey abive with glossy greenish-black back and scapulars. Crown, nape and long occipital crest black, the last with some white feathers intermixed. Young birds brown, streaked and speckled with rufous and dark brown-rather similar looking when at rest to the Pond Heron in non-breeding plumage. Sexes alike. Loose flocks, roosting in bushes by water during day; flying out to feed at dusk with a loud raucous kwaark or wock. Resident. Not common. Low country ( Vembanad Lake &c.). Distribution Outside Kerala is in Ceylon , all India , Burma , Malaysia to the Philippines . Westward to N. Africa , S. and C. Europe. The food and other habits do not differ from those of other herons and egrets.Eggs – 4 or 5, pale sea-green. Average SIZE 49.9X35.1 mm.

LOCAL NAME: Cherakokkan
SIZE: Smaller than vulture. Long legged; standing about 2 1/2 ft. (75 cm.) high.
FIELD CHARACTERS: A small stork of grayish white or white plumage, with black in the wings. The curious reddish black bill, with arching mandibles leaving a narrow open gap between them, is diagnostic. Sexes alike. Twos and threes or flocks, at tanks and marshes. Resident. According to Ferguson (1904, JBNHS 16: 15 ) ‘very common in Travancore where large flocks may be met with on the marshy borders of all the larger tanks and freshwater lakes, sharing the trees for roosting with flocks of Darters'. Since then its status in Kerala seems to have altered considerably. It is now found only sparsely and in small numbers, Distribution Outside Kerala is in Ceylon , all India , Assam , Burma , Thailand and Cambodia . It is apparently adapted in some way to deal with the thick hard shells of the large Pila snails found on marshes, the soft body and viscera of which form such an important food item of this species. It also eats frogs, crabs, large insects, &c.eggs – 2 to 4 , sullied white. Average SIZE 57.9X41.2 mm.

LOCAL NAME: Karim-kokku,Karavarakuru
SIZE: About that of the Vulture; standing about 3 ft.(90cm) high.
FIELD CHARACTERS: A glistening metallic black strok with conspicuous white neck and black ‘skull cap'. Lower abdomen and under tail –coverts white. Long bare red legs. Heavy pointed black bill. Sexes alike. Singly, pairs or parties in damp fields &c. Resident. Affects sandbanks in rivers, damp paddy stubbles, &c, in the low country, singly or in small parties. The edges of the newly formed dammed reservoirs in the state afford attractive feeding. Distribution Outside Kerala is in Ceylon , all India and Burma , Malaysia and east to Celebes . Another subspecies is found in Africa.The birds walk about sedately and jab at their prey, which consists mainly of frogs, fish, reptiles, water-beetles and large insects. Storks have no voice-producing mechanism and are therefore silent birds except for a loud clattering or clapping of the mandibles sometimes indulged in.Eggs – 3 or 4, white, obtuse ovals. Average SIZE 62.9X47.4 mm.

LOCAL NAME: Kashanti-kokku.
SIZE: About that of a large domestic hen.
FIELD CHARACTERS: A large white marsh bird with naked black head and neck and long, stout, black, down curved curlew-like bill. In the breeding season there is some slaty grey on the scapulars and inner secondaries. Elongated white feathers appear at the base of the neck, and the long secondaries disintegrate into ornamental plumes. Sexes alike. Parties, on waterlogged ground. The birds were feeding by day in the paddy fields, and roosting at night in trees on the bank of the lake. Distribution Outside Kerala is in Ceylon , all India , Burma , Malaysia and the Indochinese countries to S. Japan . The food, which consists of frogs, molluscs, large insects and vegetable matter, is obtained chiefly by probing with the bill into the soft mud, the mandibles partly open like forceps. When feeding in shallow water the head sometimes becomes completely submerged momentarily. Eggs – 2 to 4, bluish – or greenish white, sometimes with delicate yellowish brown spots. Average SIZE 63.5X43.1 mm.

LOCAL NAME: Yeranda
SIZE: Smaller than the domestic duck.
FIELD CHARACTERS: A small chestnut-coloured duck, confusable with no other of the same SIZE. The shrill wheezy whistling notes, sea-sick, constantly uttered on the wing, and the feeble, flapping, rail-like flight are other clues to its identity. Sexes alike. Small flocks, on weedy tanks &c. Resident (presumably), and local migrant. Fairly common. Low country. Distribution Outside Kerala is in Ceylon , all India , Burma , Malaysia , and the Indochinese countries. The birds are poor fliers, but walk and dive well. Their food consists of snails, worms, frogs, fish, &c., in addition to shoots and grain. Eggs – 7 to 12, milk-white becoming brown-stained during incubation. Average SIZE 46.9X36.8 mm.

LOCAL NAME: Yeranda
SIZE: Of half grown domestic duck. Slightly larger than the Cotton Teal.
FIELD CHARACTERS: Male: penciled grayish, with chestnut head and a broad metallic green band running backward from in front of eye to nape, bordered above and below with whitish. A tricoloured wing-bar black, green and buff – particularly conspicuous in flight. Female: mottled dark and light brown, with pale underparts and black and distinctive green wing speculum. Flocks, at reedy shallow tanks. Winter visitor. Not common. Distribution Outside Kerala is in Summer (breeding): the Palaearctic Region. Winter: N. Africa and practically all South Asia , including India , Burma and Ceylon . Its food consists largely of vegetable matter.

LOCAL NAME: Yeranda
SIZE: Slightly larger than the Pigeon.
FIELD CHARACTERS: A diminutive wild duck, with white predomination in the plumage. Male in breeding dress: back glossy metallic brown with some glossy green on the wings. Face, neck and underparts white. Top of head and a narrow collar round base of neck blackish. In flight a broad white bar along the trailing edge of the wings is an arresting feature. Female duller and paler, with the collar diffuse and less defined. Non-breeding males resemble the female, but the white wing-bar is diagnostic, small flocks, on tanks &c. According to Ferguson (1904, JBNHS 16: 18 ) a winter visitor only, and never abundant. Distribution Outside Kerala is in Ceylon , all India (excepting the arid NW. parts of Pakistan ); Burma , Malaysia , S. China to Celebes.Another race is found in N. Australia . Their food consists of shoots and grain of wild and cultivated rice and other vegetable matter supplemented with insects, crustacea, worms &c.Eggs – 6 to 12 , ivory white. Average SIZE 43.1X32.9 mm.

LOCAL NAME: Velli-eriyan.
SIZE : About that of the House Crow.

FILED CHARACTERS: A small ashy grey and white hawk with a black line above the eyes and black patches on the shoulders, especially prominent while atrest. The black tips of the closed wings(primaries) extend beyond the short square-cut white tail. In bad light the head-on silhouette of the flying bird is very like a flying fox's. Sexes alike. Singly, in open grass jungle. Believed by Ferguson (1904, JBNHS 15:670) to be only a winter visitor. Uncommon. Distribution Outside Kerala is in Patchily nearly all over India and Ceylon . Subject to local movement.

Perches on a tree-top or pole in open country surveying the ground and puncing upon lizards , grasshoppers or filed-mice. It is largely crepuscular and also markedly parochial, keeping to the same locality and lookout posts day after day. His flight is sluggish with the wing-beats reminiscent of a crow's; it is punctuated by short spurts of sailing. The bird frequently hovers in the air like a kestrel to espy creeping prey, parachuting down in steps for a closer view-wings open and upraised back to back- and pouncing on the quarry. It is exceptionally silent.Eggs-3 or 4, yellowish white, usually densely blotched with brownish red. Average SIZE 39.3x 30.9mm

LOCAL NAME: Ten kotichi
SIZE: About that of the Pariah Kite
FIELD CHARACTERS: Extremely variable in coloration. One of the commonest phases is greyish brown above, pale brown below narrowly cross-barred with white. A short blackish nuchal crest of a few elongated feathers noticeable in profile when slightly raised. In overhead flight rather like the Shortr-toed Eagle, but slenderer: underside of wings silvery grey with dark markings; tail grayish with two broad blackish cross-bands. The longer neck and slenderer head readily distinguish it from the Short-toed Eagle. Sexes alike. Singly, in wooded country. Winter visitor. Frequents deciduous and semi-evergreen forest. Distribution Outside Kerala is Practically in India , Ceylon and Burma . In many areas found only as a local migrant.

The species, with other races, ranges from India to Siberia and Japan , including Malaysia and the Phillippines on the south. Lives largely on honey and larvae of bees extracted from combs on forest trees. The thick covering of short scale-like feathers on its face is evidently a protection against stings. It also eats small mammals, reptiles and birds and is particularly destructive to the eggs and nestlings of the last. Eggs – usually 2, very variable in coloration: white to pale salmon-buff,freckled, mottled or blotched with some shade of chestnut-brown. Average SIZE 52.8X42.8 mm

LOCAL NAME: Chakki-parundu
SIZE: Smaller than the Vulture (about 24 inches, or 60 cm.)
FIELD CHARACTERS: A large familiar brown hawk distinguished from all similar birds by the forked tail, particularly conspicuous in flight. Sexes alike. Singly or gregariously, about human habitations. Resident. Common, low country, and sparingly in the hills up to about 5000 ft. (1500 m.); occasionally higher. It is found in All India, Burma and Ceylon . A scavenger, largely commensal on man, living mostly on garbage and offal. It is an inveterate robber of young chickens, especially when feeding its nest-young, and becomes a serious nuisance to poultry keepers. Also hawks flying termites in the air.Eggs – 2 to 4 , dirty or pinkish white more or less spotted and blotched with reddish brown. Average SIZE 52.7X42.7 mm.

LOCAL NAME: Garudan, Krishna- parundu.
SIZE: That of the Pariah Kite.
FIELD CHARACTERS: A handsome rusty red or deep chestnut hawk with white head, neck and breast. Abdomen brown. Immature birds easily confused with the buzzard (Buteo). Under aspect of open wings greyish with a reddish tinge; in immature birds patchy as in the buzzard. Sexes alike. Singly, in the neighbourhood of water-streams, tanks, inundated paddy fields, seashore &c. Resident. Common. Low country, and occasionally to about 3000 ft. (900 m). It is found in the entire Indian Union, both Pakistans (excepting the north-western frontier districts), and Ceylon .

Largely a scavenger, picking up bits of floating garbage from the surface of water. Further inland it is met more commonly during the monsoon when rain-filled puddles and flooded rive-fields supply an abundance of frogs and land crabs. Small fish and snakes are also eaten. The call is a harsh, wheezy squeal. Eggs – normally two, greyish white feebly speckled and blotched with pale dingy reddish brown. Average SIZE 50.7x40.2 mm.

LOCAL NAME: Karimparundu
SIZE: Larger than the Pariah Kite.
FIELD CHARACTERS: A large black eagle the tips of whose wings when at rest reach the end of the tail. In overhead flight the black plumage, narrowly grey-barred tail-longer than in most eagles – and the bright chrome yellow feet are diagnostic. The dark underside of the wing contrasting with a pale patch on the primaries, the bright yellow cere and a white patch under the eye – visible at close range – confirm its identity. When sailing the broad wings are held above the line of the back in a wide V, and end in upturned ‘splayed fingers' as in a vulture. Sexes alike. Singly, on forested hills. Resident. Fairly common, but not abundant. Evergreen and moist deciduous biotope. Foothills, and upto the highest elevations. Forested ravines or shoals, interspersed with open grassy spurs and hillsides, are its favourite haunts. Distribution Outside Kerala is in Ceylon ; the Western Ghats country north to the Tapti River , including the Nilgiris, Palnis and associated hills. Also the Shevaroys. The Satpuras and other hills in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra, Bihar , Orissa, W. Bengal and E. Pakistan . The Himalayas from W. Pakistan to eastern Assam . Burma ; Thailand ; Malaysia to Celebes . Its food consists of frogs, lizards and large insects. Birds, even of the SIZE of junglefowl, are often killed and nests are habitually robbed of their contents, both eggs and young. Egg- normally a singleton, handsome, whitish to pinkish in ground colour densely and finely stippled with pale brick –red. Average SIZE 62.7x49.9 mm.

LOCAL NAME: Kula-kozhi
SIZE: About that of the Partridge
FIELD CHARACTERS: A familiar slaty grey, stub-tailed, skulking marsh bird with prominent white face, supercilia, throat, breast and middle of abdomen, and rusty red under the tail. Sexes alike. Singly, about thickets on waterlogged ground. Resident. Fairly common. Chiefly low country but upto at least 3000 ft. (c. 900 m.) – Periyar Lake environs. Affects Pandanus brakes and marginal vegetation in swamps and inundated paddy fields. Also the neighbourhood of homestead along the coastal backwaters.Distribution Outside Kerala is in Ceylon and peninsular India north to about lat. 20 0 N. North India , Assam and Burma are inhabited by the race chinensis.

Other races extend the species to Malaysia , southern China , the Philippines and Formosa .. Silent except during the monsoon months when breeding, when it becomes particularly noisy. Its food consisit of insects, worms, molluscs, grain and shoots of paddy and marsh plants. Eggs – 6 o r 7, cream or pinkish white streaked and blotched with reddish brown. Average SIZE 39.5X30.0mm

LOCAL NAME: Eetkili-kalam,Thamarakozhi
SIZE: About that of the Partridge
A leggy swamp bird, something like the moorhen, with glossy black head and breast, metallic greenish bronze back and wings, and chestnut-red stub tail. A broad white stripe from the eye to the nape. Sexes alike. Young birds chiefly whitish, ruffoous and brown. The outstanding feature of the Jacanas-this species and the next is their absurdly elongated spider like toes. Resident. Not common, but frequent.Its food consists of seeds and shoots of water-plants, as well as insects and molluscs. Eggs-normally 4, very glossy and handsome, bronze-brown with an irregular network of dark brown scrawls. Average SIZE 36.4x25.1mm. The female is polyandrous. The male incubates the eggs and looks after the young.

LOCAL NAME: Thamara –Kozhi,Valan thamarakozhi
SIZE: about that of the Partdirge, excluding the long sickle-shaped tail
In breeding plumage a striking white and chocolate-brown rail-like marsh bird with enormous spidery feet and sickle shaped ‘pheasant' tail. Face and foreneck white; hindneck pale golden yellow. In flight the large amount of white in the plumage and the pointed downcurved tail are pointers to its identity. In non-breeding plumage chiefly pale brown and white, with a black neckle on upper breast, and minus the long tail. Sexes alike. Resident, presumably. They are distributed outside Kerala in Ceylon and practically all India. , Assam and Murma.Eastward to Malaysia ,S.China and Philippines .

LOCAL NAME: Pulli-ponman, Pulli meenkothi
SIZE : Between the Myna and the Pigeon
A speckled and barred black-and-white kingfisher with the typical stout dagger-shaped bill(black). Forehead, crown and nuchal crest black,finely streaked with white. Supercilium and collar on hindneck white. A broad black streak through eye to ear-coverts. Underparts white with a double black gorget across breast in the male. In the female the lower gorget is wanting and the upper broken in the middle. Resident. Common. Low country. Keeps to the coastal backwaters and to the larger placid streams with deep rock pools here and there, north to about Kozhikode . Nesting Season-evidently between November/December and March/April. Nest- a horizontal tunnel, 3 to 6 ft.(1 to 2 m) in length, excavated in the precipitous mud bank of a stream or river. It terminated in a widened egg-chamber, unlined but almost invariably littered with cast-up fish bones. Eggs- 5 or 6, pure white, glossy, roundish ovals. Average SIZE 29.9x21.4mm.

LOCAL NAME: Veli-Tatta,Chemban velitatta
SIZE: About the same as the Small Green Bee-eater (=Sparrow)
Like the small Green Bee-eater but lacking the elongated pin-feathers in tail and with the whole crown, hindneck and back chestnut. Rump pale blue. Chin, Throat and sides of neck pale yellow; a black-bordered chestnut gorget across lower throat. Sexes alike.

Resident. Decidous and semi-evergreen biotope. It is also found in Ceylon, south-west India north to about Belgaum; Himalayan tarai and bhabar form Dehra Dun to E.Assam, Orissa; E.Bengal. Rare in the central and eatern parts of the peninsula. An endemic race andamanensis in the Andaman Is.Neasting:Season-February/March and perhaps later. Nest- a tunnel dug in a sandy bank of a nullah or stream in well wooded country. Eggs 4 or 5, pure white roundish ovals with a glossy texture. Average SIZE 21.7x19.0mm.

LOCAL NAME: Kozhi –Vezhambal
SIZE: About that of the Kite
A plain brownish slaty-grey hornbill without any casque on its bill. Wing-quills and tail black, the latter with broad white tips to the two central pairs of feathers. Throat and breast streaked with whitish. Sexes almost alike (see colours of bill). Resident. Common. Affects evergreen and moist decisuous biotope from the low country (eg. Thattakad, c.200ft., or 60m) to about 4000ft(1200m) in the hills. Lofty shade-trees in cardamom shoals with a sprinkling of wild figs(Ficus) are favoaurite haunts). Goes about in parties of 5 or 6. Larger flocks congregate to feed on fruiting trees in the usual frugivorous company of green pigeons, grackles and others. Nesting: Season-January to early April, most eggs being found in February. Nest and nesting habits as of the familiy(see under Great Indian Hornbill). Eggs-usually 3, sometimes 4, white but becoming discloured in incubation. Average SIZE 41.4x30.0

LOCAL NAME: Vezhambal,Ponden vezhambal
SIZE: Larger than the Grey Hornbill. Between the Kite and the Vulture.
Easily differentiated from the Great Indian Hornbill (next) by its smaller SIZE, black neck and white underparts. Tail white with the central pair of feathers black. Casque or helmet high, narrow and sharp-ridged, ending in a single point. Female like the male except in the coloration of the soft parts (see below). Noisy flocks, in lofty tree-tops. Resident. Uncommon. Affects evergreen and moist deciduous forest along the foot of the hills, e.g., Thattakad, Amarambalam (Malabar district). It is also found in Ceylon ; Western Ghats north to about Ratnagiri; the former Hyderabad state, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar , Orissa. Arboreal and mainly frugivorous. Eggs are White in colour becoming brown-stained as incubation proceeds. Average SIZE about 55X38 mm.

LOCAL NAME: Malamuzhalkki (mountain – shaking), Vezhambal, Kompan vezhambal.
SIZE: About that of the Vulture.
A large pied bird with enormous, stout, yellow and black horn-shaped bill, surmounted by a cumbersome-looking casque. Viewed from the front this is broadly U-shaped. Face black; neck and tail white, the last comparatively long and rounded and with a broad black subterminal band. Wings black with two white bars in each, especially conspicuous in flight. Back and underparts black. Lower abdomen, upper and under tail-coverts white. Sexes nearly alike. Pairs or parties, in tall trees, or in noisy flight over forest. Resident. Common in evergreen forest biotope. It is also found in Throughout the Western Ghats north to about Khandala; Himalayas from Kumaon to eastern Assam , and E. Pakistan . Usually met with in pairs or parties of 3 to 5. Diet largely frugivorous, but also eats small mammals, lizards and snakes. The birds have a regular time-schedule over fixed routes to and from their feeding and roosting places, which is followed punctually day after day. Their deep harsh grunts, roars or barks, and loud resonant call tok-tok &c., reverberate in the forest-clad valleys and are responsible for their Malayali name. The flight, slow and heavy, is accomplished by deliberate beats of the broad wings, the tips of the primaries upturned, and is punctuated by occasional short glides

Nesting: Season – February, March, April. Nest – an unlined natural hollow in a large poon (Calophyllum tomentosum) or other forest tree, usually between 50 and 75 ft. (15 and 23 m.) from the ground. The same site is used year after year. The entrance is walled up with a plaster composed chiefly of the bird's dung, the flat sides of the bill serving as a trowel. Only a narrow slit is left through which the male feeds his mate while she is sitting on the eggs. The female moults her flight-feathers during this period of incarceration. After the young hatch out the wall is broken down; she releases herself and thereafter assists in foraging for the squabs. The wall is built up again for protection of the young till they are able to fly. Eggs – 1 or 2, rarely 3, white when laid but soon becoming discoloured through contact with the wood. Average SIZE: 65.1X46.3 mm. (Fauna).

LOCAL NAME:Alkili
SIZE: Same as the Coppersmith Barbet; slightly larger than the Sparrow.
Differs from the Coppersmith (nest) in having a patch below the eye, a spot on the cheek, and the chin, throat and foreneck crimson in addition the forehead and fore-crown. Upper breast black with crimson apical streaks. Sexes alike. Singly, pairs or loose parties, on fruiting trees in forest.Resident. Common but local. Foothills and up to about 4000ft; or 1200m. restricted to evergreen biotope It is also found in Western coastal India north to about Goa including Nilgiris, Coorg, Wayanad and W.Mysore.

Nesting:Season-January to March. Nest and eggs indistinguishable from those of the soppersmith. Average SIZE of eggs about 24.7x17.7mm.

LOCAL NAME: Chempukotti.
SIZE: Slightly larger and dumpier than the House Sparrow
A heavy-billed grass-green bird with yellow throat, crimson breast and forehead, and green-streaked yellow underparts. Short, square-cut tail appearing distinctly triangular in overhead flight. Sexes alike. Singly or loose parties , on banyan and papal trees in fruit. Resident. Fairly common. Deciduous low country, normally under about 500 ft(150m). Occasionally up to 1500ft, and exceptionally to 3500ft. affects lightly wooded terrain about cultivation, groves of trees near villages and wooded compounds in towns. It is also found in Ceylon and practically all India .Arboreal and frugivorous. When calling, the head is bobbed from side to side, producing a curious ventriloquistic effect. Combined with the assimilative coloration of the bird, this makes it difficult to locate the vocalist amongst the green foliage.

Nesting: Season-February to April. Nest-the usual hole in somerotten softwood branch, such as of a Coral or Drumstick tree. Eggs-usually 3, glossless pure white, unmarked. Average SIZE 25.0x17.7mm.Both sexes share in excavating the nest-hole, incubation, and care of the young.

LOCAL NAME : Kakka maramkoti
SIZE : About that of the House Crow.
A magnificent large black woodpecker with conspicuous white rump, and white underparts from breast down. Male with brilliant crimson forehead, crown, nuchal crest and cheeks. In female crimson confined to nape only. Singly or pairs, in large trees forest. Resident. Fairly common locally. Evergreen and moist deciduous biotope. Foothills and upto about 3500 ft. (1050 m). Caradamom shoals with their lofty natural shade-trees, well-shaded tea and coffee plantations, and secondary semi-evergreen jungle intermixed with bamboo are its favourite haunts. It is also found in The strip of country along the Western Ghats including the Nilgiris and Western Mysore , north to the Tapti River . Also obtained recently in eastern Madhya Pradesh (Salim Ali, 1951, JBNHS 49 : 787), so presumably extends along the Satpura mountain trend in the same way as the Heartpotted Woodpecker (q.v.). Absent in Ceylon . Its food consists largely of the grubs of wood-boring beetles and pupae of white ants.Nesting: Season – principally January to March. Nest – usually excavated in rotten tree-trunks at heights of 25 to 50 feet (7.5 to 15 m.) from the ground. The entrance-hole is about 6 inches, or 15 cm., in diameter, the hollow itself being about 2 feet (60 cm.) deep. Eggs-normally 2, sometimes 3 or 4,white broad ovals. SIZE about 35.5X23.5 mm.

LOCAL NAME : Pulli maramkoti
SIZE: Between the Sparrow and the Myna.
A dainty little black and buff woodpecker with short very slender neck and large crested head, and a curiously short and broad rounded tail. Male : Back black with conspicuous heart-shaped buff spots on the upper side of the wings. Rump buffy white. Chin, throat, sides of neck and base of hindneck buffy white. Underparts dark olive and black. Forhead, crown and crest black, the first two minutely speckled with white. Female : differs in having the forehead and anterior crown buffy white, and more buffy white on the wings. Widely separated pairs, in tree forest. Resident. Fairly common. Evergreen and moist deciduous biotope. It is also found in The Western Ghats to their northern most limit, near the Tapti River , including the Nilgiris, western Mysore , Kanara, &c. Has also been recorded from Chanda, and obtained in eastern Madhya Pradesh and Orissa, indicating that its distribution stretches unbroken across the peninsula along the Satpura mountain trend. Beyond, it occurs in Assam , Burma , Thailand , Annam , Cochin , China and Malaysia . Absent in Ceylon.Typical. Its call is a characteristic pleasant trill consisting of a quick-repeated twee, twee-sharp but loud-up to 7 or 8 times. Nesting : Season – November to April. Nest – a hole made in a dead branch usually at great heights (uptp 40 ft. or 12 m.) from the ground. Eggs – 3, white, unmarked. Average SIZE 23.5X18.6 mm.

LOCAL NAME: Maramkoti
Crown and crest crimson in male; golden yellow in female. Back and tail black. Sides of hindneck and middle of upper back white, joining to form a prominent white V. Upperparts of wings golden olive. Cheeks, chin, throat and foreneck fulvous white with five narrow longitudinal black streaks. When only the head and neck of the bird are visible, this striped pattern on the throat is diagnostic. Underparts buffy white, the feathers edged with black and forming a bold scaly pattern on the breast. Singly or pairs, in open tree forest.resident.uncommon and local. Decidous and semi evergreen biotope. It is also found in lower Nilgiris, Mysore and greater part sof peninsular and continental India northto the Himalayan foothills. Nesting :season season – December to March. Nes- the usual hole cut into the stem of a tree, 8 to 20 ft from the ground. Eggs – nearly always a singleton, white and unmarked. Average SIZE 31.2 X24.1mm

LOCAL NAME: Manjakkili
Bright golden yellow with black in wings and tail, and a conspicuous black streak from the lores backward through the eye. Female and young male duller and greener, with underparts whiter and streaked with dull brown. Singly or pairs, in wooded country. Arboreal streaked with dull brown. Singly or pairs, in wooded country. Arboreal. Partly resident largly local migrant. Frequents open secondary forest either decxidous or with a mixture of evergreen. It is also found in all India from Kashmir to Kanayakuamri and from Baluchistan to Bengal . Not cylone. Entirely arboreal. Keeps to the foliage canopy of tree but occasionally descends to low bushes such as lantana when in ripe fruit.

LOCAL NAME: Kakka-tampuratti,Anaranchi
A glossy jet black bird with long deeply forked tail. Sexes alike. Resident. Common. Deciduous low country under 500 ft. (c. 150 m) Affects open fallow and grazing land, and compounds in towns and villages. Very partial to the jack-fruit, cashew and coconut gardens surrounding homesteads along the backwaters, and the dyked paddy cultivation in this neighbourhood. It is also found in Peninsular India south of the Indo-Gangetic plain. Northern India and the Lower Himalayas together with Assam are occupied by the race albirictus, and Ceylon by minor.Single birds commonly seen perched on telegraph wires, dead trees, fence-posts and the like keeping a sharp look-out for grasshoppers and other insects and pouncing on them on the ground or capturing them in the air. If too large to be swallowed entire, the victim is held under foot and torn to pieces with the sharp hook-tipped bill. Their diet is entirely insectivorous; they do considerable good to agriculture by the large quantities of injurious pests they destroy. They have a number of harsh challenging calls, some closely resembling those of Shikra hawk. The birds become particularly noisy at the breeding season, when they frequently indulge in scolding duets, trios and quartets. Nesting: Season – March to June/July. Nest – a flimsy-bottomed cup of fine twigs, grasses and fibres loosely cemented together with cobwebs. Placed in a fork, usually near the extremity of a horizontal branch, or up in the head of a palm at the base of a leaf stalk, 20 to 30 ft. (c. 6 to 9 m) from the ground. A tree standing by itself in the midst of open cultivation and commanding a good view of the surroundings is preferred. Eggs – 3 to 5, variable in colour and markings, the most common type being whitish with brownish red spots. Average SIZE 25.5X19.0 mm

choosing a pet

With a little bit of active considered planning and an acknowledgement of the commitment required to care for one, pets can be a wonderful gift to give your family. Before buying a pet, remember that its not all about those cutsie, fluffy kittens and puppies you see in commercials. Sure, that can be part of it, buts its like a marriage, there are swings and roundabouts. Having a pet is a serious responsibility so before surprising the family with a new pet, consider the following.
Age of the recipient
A 4 year old child pleading for a kitten or puppy, is doing so because of a tv ad. They do not understand the responsibility. Kittens and puppies poop, need constant care and attention, have medical expenses, pine, chew things up, they bite. You don't get to take a day off because you are over it. Understand, if you are considering buying a kitten or puppy for a person of this age.... you are really buying it for YOU as YOU are going to be the one caring for it. For a young child, consider a mouse, a hamster, a guinea pig or the like
Is your pet present going to be happily received?Do your kids really want a pet? Contrary to popular belief, every little boy does not want or need a dog. Just because your little one enjoys playing with Grandma's poodle does not mean he's ready or even wants to take on full-time care of a poodle himself. If Johnny is pleading for a puppy, perhaps ask a neighbour who has a dog, if Johnny can come around and pick the dog poo up off the lawn every day for a week? Or spend an hour washing and combing a dog with a coat full of prickles, and something odoriferous they have recently rolled in? You'll soon find out, how much your child wants a dog when faced with the care requirements.

Have you checked your budget?
$800 for a puppy is a lot isn't it? If you think it is, remember that food bills for a medium sized dog may be more than that per year. Then there is vaccinations, registration, cost of replacing chewed shoes. Then there is unexpected vet bills if your pet gets sick or is injured - these can run into the thousands.

How committed are you and the recipient of the pet present.If you buy an item of clothing on a whim, it goes in the closet to be forgotton. Buying a pet however, is a commitment to care for it for the duration of its life. In sickness and in health. Is the recipient a teen? Dogs usually live for 12-15 years, cats often even longer. A parrot can live 100 years! You'll likely end up caring for their pet, long after the teen themselves has grown up and flown the coop

Simple things like a weekend away means finding a carer for your pet, placing it in care or finding some suitable pet friendly accommodation. Many landlords will not let you have a pet, so being a renting pet owner can be very tricky.
What else may eventuate?
A lot. Dogs and cats invariably will vomit inside at some point, or urinate or defecate somewhere inappropriate. Flea infestations, cats will scratch furniture. (Editor - I once went away for the weekend and left my house, cat, and dog in the care of a house sitter. house sitter "lost" my cat, which had strayed into my bedroom, the door of which blew shut. Exit my cat two days later, and a room full of cat urine, faeces, and endless damaged. My dog pined, and ate my favourite lounge chair. Yes, that's right. He ATE it.)You may get a dog that is lovely to you are yours, but which wants to kill any other animal and chase the milkman. Your dog may wish to bark all night, and all day as well.
OK. Well let's buy that Pet as a Present anyway
OK, so you've read all the way through this article, and are still planning on going ahead with the pet present purchase. Couple of tips.

a. Don't wrap them. They will probably die.
b. Don't tie them up under the Christmas tree. They'll probably be scared, and will poop and wee on the other presents and carpet, as well as chew up the Christmas lights. Nothing worse than the kids running down stairs to an electrocuted pet on Chrismas day.
I appreciate it takes a little but of the fun and romance out of it, but a gift voucher from the pet shop if a rodent style pet is desired, or from a registered breeder, if a dog or cat is desired, may well be the way to go. Then the new owner can play a role in choosing their pet as well.
Bringing Home Your New Family Member
Before you go pick up your new pet, get your family involved in deciding what type, size and breed of animal you'd consider. Research the likely temperament of your pet. Remember, even within pet types, there are vast differences between different breeds.

Once you've got an idea what you're looking for, where should you go? If you are after a pedigreed animal, track down a breed association(plenty listed in the links section of this site) and find a breeder near you. If you are less fussy about your pet's genetic credentials, try a pet shelter. Each year, millions of abandoned pets go to the great big farm in the sky because of pet owners who no longer want them. By adopting a pound pet, you give it another shot at life.
There are other great reasons for going to a shelter. The cost is low, and there are often discounts on spaying and neutering Many will have good selection of pets and knowledgeable staff to make sure you're getting the right animal for your family.
When you've done it right, your child will likely end up with a long-time friend and companion.
Age-appropriateness of Pets
Under 3 - If you've got pets, introduce your babies to them, and your pets to them, but don't get children this young pets of their own.
3 to 10 - Rodents are best. Mice, guinea pigs etc. They are easy to care for, don't require daily feeding/watering/walking/brushing. They are cheap to look after, will often be happy to be handled..... and I know it's a little heartless.... but they are relatively short lived so if you find out a pet is not for you and your family..... you don't need to keep caring for your rodent for more than a few years. Young children can feed and water them, bring them vegetable treats etc,
Consider an aquarium as well, fish are wonderful pets though the joy is in watching their behaviour, no fish is going to enjoy a cuddle. Light on care requirements, but tank water does need changing at least every week.
10 to 13 - At this age, a child is mature enough to manage looking after a cat or dog and taking on the many tasks that come with such a pet, feeding, walking, brushing, training etc I'd look at short haired breeds that require infrequent brushing(Editor - though these will likely shed more) Rabbits now also come into the equation. Remember, you are still in charge, kids will still forget to feed a pet at this age, and to check their pet has water.


14 to 17 -A difficult age for pet present buying. Many children leave home soon after this period.... and cannot take their pet with them. Also, often they are very busy with activities and school. If buying a pet for the first time now for a child this age consider an aquarium or an aviary. There is some work involved, but nothing like that required for the care of four legged pets.

beautiful house tips

Picking house paint colors isn't just difficult. It's terrifying! Pick colors that are blah, and your house will seem flat and featureless. But if the colors you pick are too bold, they might overwhelm the architecture... and upset the neighbors. The best colors will highlight the most beautiful features of your home. Skillful use of color can even disguise design flaws, boosting the curb appeal and market value of your home. How do you find that magic color combination? Follow these tips

1. Honor History

If you're planning to paint an older home, you'll probably want to use a historically accurate color scheme. You can hire a pro to analyze old paint chips and recreate the original color. Or, you can refer to historic color charts and select shades that might have been used at the time your home was built.
Photo: Historic Colors



2. Jazz Up the Past
In some neighborhoods, homeowners fly in the face of history. Instead of choosing historically accurate colors, they paint their houses modern colors to dramatize architectural details. Using bright colors on old architectural details can produce startling and exciting results. But before you buy 10 gallons of bubblegum pink, it's a good idea to look at what your neighbors are doing. A fluorescent colored Victorian that looks splendid in San Francisco will seem wildly out of place in more conservative neighborhoods.
Photo: Jazzy Colors

3. Consider Your Neighbors
The house next door can give you paint color ideas, but don't copy your neighbor exactly. Choose colors that set your house apart, without clashing with nearby buildings.
Photo: Colorful Cottages
 

4. Borrow From Nature

The landscape around your house is blooming with color ideas. Trees may suggest an earthy palette of greens and browns. A beach setting might suggest vivid blues, turquoises, and coral colors. Even the garden in your front yard can inspire exciting color combinations.
Photo: Nature's Colors
 
5. Check the Roof
Your house is your canvas, but it is not blank. Some colors are already established. What color is your roof? Your paint color doesn't need to match the roof, but it should harmonize.
Photo: Roof Colors
 
6. Look For Things That Won't Be Painted
Every home has some features that will not be painted. Does your house have brick walls? Vinyl windows? A natural wooden door? Will steps and railings remain their existing colors? Choose a color scheme that harmonizes with colors already present on your house.
Photo: Brick and Stone


7. Find Inspiration in Your Living Room
It may seem comical to paint entire house based on the pattern of a pillow case, but this approach does make sense. The color of your furnishings will guide you in the selection of your interior paint colors, and your interior paint colors will influence the colors you use outside. Once again, your goal is to harmonize.
Photo: Wright's Red
 
8. Focus on Details
Depending on the size and complexity of your home, you may want to choose two, three, or as many as six colors. In addition to color for your siding, select accent colors for shutters, moldings, doors, window sashes, brackets, columns, and porch decks. But beware: too many colors will overwhelm your house. Too few can make your house seem flat and uninteresting.
Photo: Detail Colors
 
9. Use Light to Add Size
It's no wonder large, grand estates are often painted white. Light colors make a building look larger, and white is the favored color for traditional classical architecture. You can add to your home's sense of size and dignity by using white or a pale cream color.
Photo: Classic White
 
10. Go Dark For Drama
Dark siding or dark bands of trim will make your house seem smaller, but will draw more attention to details. Darker shades are best for accenting recesses, while lighter tones will highlight details that project from the wall surface. On traditional Victorian homes, the darkest paint is often used for the window sashes.
Photo: Dramatic Accents

 

11. Discover Color Families
Contrasting colors will draw attention to architectural details. But, extreme contrasts will clash and actually detract from details. To be safe, consider staying within a single color family. For some accents, try using a darker or lighter shade instead of a different color.
Photo: Subtle Colors
 
12. Strike a Balance
A burst of a single color on just one part of your home may give it a lopsided appearance. Strive to balance colors over the entire building.
Photo: Balanced Color


House Paint Durability
The more intense a color, the more likely it is to fade. After a few years, vivid blues and deep reds might seem more subdued. Dark colors can also pose more maintenance problems. Dark colors absorb heat and suffer more moisture problems than lighter shades. And because dark paint fades, it can be difficult to match exactly when you do small touch-ups. But, don't rule out dark colors. They won't show dust and stains, and can give your house a sense of dignity or drama.
House Paint Sheen
House paint comes in several sheens, ranging from glossy to flat. The glossier the surface, the more likely it is to show imperfections, brush strokes and touch up marks. On the other hand, glossy surfaces are easier to clean. Many homeowners opt to use flat paint for walls and semi-gloss or glossy paint for columns, railings and window sashes.
Paint Color Deceptions
Color swatches look very different when they are brought out of the store and viewed in natural sunlight. Also, colors appear lighter on large surfaces than they do on small samples. Chances are, you'll need a much darker color than the one you first picked. Always test your selected color in one area before buying gallons of paint.
 


 

Indian trees

Trees in India

Trees in India known for their grandeur and majesty are like the green pearl in the Indian crown. Trees occupy the important place in the history of India. Trees have always been associated with wisdom and immorality in India. Hindu literature describes a celestial tree as having its roots in the heaven and its branches in the underworld that unites and connects beings of every kind. Banyan is the National Tree of India. India's medicinal are no less diverse. Peepal, banyan (Bodhi tree), banana, and Tulsi are some of the plants that holds special cultural and religious significance in India. Indian Rosewood, Kikar, Aleo Vera, Ashwagandha, Cork, Brahmi, Sal, Khair and Garden Asparagus are some of the popular trees grown in India.

Banyan Tree

Banyan is the National Tree of India. It has the widest reaching roots of all known trees, easily covering several hectares. It is said that at one time more than 10, 000 people can sit under its shade at one time.
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Peepal Tree

Hundred of trees are protected as living natural monument in India and Peepal or is one of them. It is popularly known as the Bodhi Tree in India, under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It is the sacred tree of India.
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Neem Tree

Neem tree is popularly known as the Miracle Tree. It is a useful tree in rehabilitating the waste land areas. Even today Neem Tree is the focal point of village life and the village council meetings under the shade of this huge huge tree.
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Garden Asparagus

Garden Asparagus is an herbaceous perennial and is well known for its edible young shoots. Garden Asparagus is known to have more than 250 species all over the world. The delicate flavour of Asparagus make it favourite among the vegetable lovers.
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Arjuna Tree

Arjuna is the large size deciduous tree. Terminalia Arjuna tree is common throughout India especially in the sub Himalayan tracts and Eastern India. In Indian mythology, Arjuna is supposed to be Sita's favourite tree.
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Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is the popular herb with the botanical name of Aloe barbadensis. Aloe Vera is used as the source of medicines for thousand of years. It is believed to have been used for the preservation of the body of the Jesus Christ
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Tulsi Plant

Tulsi is the sacred plant of India dearer to the Lord Vishnu. Tulsi symbolises purity. Many people wears the Tulsi beads, which is said to have certain physical and medicinal properties. It is known as Holy Basil in English and Tulasi in Sanskrit.
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Amla Plant

Amla is the wonder plant, a unique gift of the mother nature to the mankind. Its fruit is the richest source of Vitamin C. It holds the special reputation of being the most powerful rejuvenating herb. It is popularly known as Indian Gooseberry
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Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows up to the height of 0.5 m to 1.5 m. Ashwagandha is the powerful herb that is believed to increase health and longevity. One can find this medicinal plant in the Ranthambore National Park in India.
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Brahmi

Brahmi is the small creeping herb with the numerous branches. Herpestis monniera is the other known specie of Brahmi plant. It is rich in Vitamin C. Brahmi is the name derived from the Lord Brahma. Brahmi represents the creative energy of this earth.
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Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is the tall evergreen tree. There are more than 700 species of Eucalyptus all over the world. Eucalyptus is mainly used as the pulpwood in the manufacture of the paper as well as raw material.
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Indian Mahogany

Indian Mahogany is a fast upright growing tree with a broad rounded symmetrical crown. Swietenia mahagoni is the scientific name given to the Indian Mahogany. It is mostly propagated through seeds. .
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Indian Rosewood

Indian Rosewood holds many medicinal properties. Indian Rosewood is mostly propagated through the root suckers and seeds. Many people in India grow Rosewood because they believe harvesting the wood denudes the rain forests.
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Indian Tulip Tree

Indian Tulip or the Portia Tree is a very large tree with heart shaped leaves and the cup shaped flowers. The fruits, flowers and young leaves of the Indian Tulip tree are edible. It is also known as the Scarlet Bell tree and the Fountain tree.
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Khair is the moderate size deciduous tree, which is widely grown in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Corbett National Park and Ranthambore National Park in India. It is propagated through the stumps or seed and is useful in the dental problems.
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Kikar Tree

Kikar is the small thorny tree. It is cultivated for erosion and fuel wood. Its wood is used for the paper production. It is mainly grown in the cold temperature. Kikar is widely found in the State of Haryana in India.
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Sal Tree

Sal is a large sub deciduous tree. It is worshiped among the Buddhist and Hindus in India. It is mentioned in many scriptures that the Buddha was born and died under the Sal tree. It is found in almost all the parts of India.
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Cork Tree

Found in the tropical forests of India, Cork is the tall deciduous tree. Stem and roots of the Cork tree have great medicinal value. The bark of the Cork tree is used in the production of yellow dye. Its flowers are used in rituals in India.
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Teak Tree

Teak or Tectona Grandis is one of the most popular tree of India. It is mainly used in the making of furniture and doors. Teak also holds the medicinal value. The bark is bitter tonic and is considered useful in fever.
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Turmeric Plant

The plant of Turmeric is a herbaceous perennial, which is 60 -90 cm high. The powered rhizome of this plant is used as an condiment and as an yellow dye. The rhizome of the turmeric plant is highly aromatic and antiseptic.
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