Grey Francolin

Grey Francolin

Range: Southeastern Iran and Pakistan, throughout India to Bangladesh, northern Sri Lanka. The Grey Francolin or Grey Partridge Francolinus pondicerianus is a species of partridge found in the plains and drier parts of South Asia. Southeastern Iran and Pakistan, throughout India to Bangladesh, northern Sri Lanka. The local name of Teetar is based on their call, a loud and repeated Ka-tee-tar - tee-tar. The term Teetar however can refer to several other similar quails and partridges.

The Grey Partridge is normally found foraging on bare ground or low grass covered ground in scrub and open country and is rarely found above an altitude of 500 m above sea level in India and 1200 m in Pakistan. The distribution is south of the foothills of the Himalayas west till the Indus valley and east till Bengal. It is also found in northwestern Sri Lanka. Introduced populations are found in the Andaman and Chagos Islands.


Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Galliformes

Family: Phasianidae

Genus: Francolinus

Species: F. pondicerianus

Binomial name

Francolinus pondicerianus

Synonyms

Orytogornis ponticeriana

Status in Wild: Considered by many to be the most common game bird in southwestern Asia and India.

Breeding Season: Varies by region and climate, from April to August.

Clutch Size: 6 to 9

Incubation Period: 21-23 days

The hen begins a clutch of 4 to 9 buff eggs in April. Attentive parents when allowed to naturally rear their offspring, it is important that aviary walls are made with a mesh small enough to prevent the tiny chicks from getting through. As with all natural rearing, changes should be made to water and food dishes to ensure that the chicks have easy access and won’t drown. Artificial rearing can be pose some problems, particularly in getting the chicks to eat. When left natural, the parents show the chicks how to eat and I have seen the male hold a piece of boiled egg in his mouth and allowed the chicks to pick at it. A little tricky to imitate in a brooder, but can be done by using long tweezers or by placing mealworms in a dish. Another alternative is using a foster chick to show the young francolin how to eat. They are quite small, so use a non-aggressive species such as Chinese Painted (Button) Quail to help them out.

The feed on seeds, grains as well as insects, particularly termites. They may occasionally take larger prey such as snakes.

They roost in groups in low thorny trees.

Status

They are hunted in much of their range using low nets and easily caught using calling decoy birds.

In culture

From Rajasthan, IndiaThe species has long been domesticated in areas of northern India and Pakistan where it is used for cock-fighting. The domesticated birds can be huge at around 500-600g, compared to 250g for wild birds. They are usually carefully reared by hand and are as tame and confiding as any household dog.

Much folklore and tradition surrounds the domesticated birds but they are usually known as rahni or a-rahni with the small, wild birds being known as sindi. The species as a whole is locally known as the white partridge - usually "goura teetar" in Urdu and related languages. The variation in colour of the wild birds is also seen in the domesticated birds with the pale versions being known as golden or yellow-peelah.

National Anthem of Bangladesh

National Anthem

My Bengal of gold, I love you
Forever your skies, your air set my heart in tune
as if it were a flute.

In Spring, Oh mother mine, the frafrance from
your mango-groves makes me wild with joy--
Ah, what a thrill!

In Autumn, Oh mother mine,
in the full-blossomed paddy fields,
I have seen spread all over-sweet smiles!
Ah, what a beauty, what shades, what an affection
and what a tenderness!

What a quilt have you spread at the feet of
banyan trees and along the banks of rivers!

Oh mother mine, words from your lips are like
Necter to my ears!
Ah, what a thrill!

If sadness, Oh mother mine, casts a gloom on your face, my ears are filled with tears!

MIRPUR ZOO

MIRPUR ZOO


Dhaka Zoo, is a zoo located in the Mirpur section of Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh.

The zoo contains many native and non-native animals and wild life. National Zoo is in Mirpur, 20 km. from the center of Dhaka besides the river Turag. Its open 10 am-5 pm, 7 days a week, where you can see the animals of Bangladesh and some animals from abroad. This Zoo is also popularly known as Mirpur Zoo.

Colorful and attractive collections of different local and foreign species of animals and birds including the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger are available here.
The zoo is currently home to 2,050 animals from 165 species. Of them 58 are mammals including elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, lion, cheetah, rhinoceros, zebras, different species of monkeys and chimpanzees, hippos and more. There are 66 species of birds, 13 species of reptiles including snakes and crocodiles and 28 species of fish.
The yearly budget of Dhaka Zoo is Tk 3.75 crore out of which Tk 2.50 crore is spent on feeding the animals

Situated : Bangladesh Dhaka National Zoo-Mirpur-1, Dhaka, Tel: 9002954, 9002020 Visiting Hour : 9:00 am- 5:00 pm Closed on Sundays.

The National Stadium of Bangladesh

Photo Caption : Picture of the National Stadium of Bangladesh

The National Stadium of Bangladesh

Bangabandhu National Stadium (Formaly known as the Dacca Stadium) is the national stadium and main sports arena in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is located at Motijheel at the heart of the capital city, Dhaka. Its current name was given to honour Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation, also known as "Banga bandhu" or "Friend of Bengal".

The Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka is the only venue in the world to have hosted an inaugural home fixture for two Test nations. India were the visitors on both occasions: in 1954-55, when Dacca (sic) was the capital of East Pakistan, and 46 years later, when Bangladesh became the tenth nation to attain Test status.

Currently, the stadium is used for football. Total seating capacity is about 40,000. It was also home to the Bangladeshi cricket team until March 1, 2005.

The stadium has the unique distinction of being the only venue in the world to host the inaugural home fixture for two Test-playing nations. India were the visitors on both occasions: in 1954–55, when Dhaka was the capital of East Pakistan, and 46 years later, when Bangladesh became the tenth nation to attain Test status. The stadium is located next to National Hockey Stadium. Bangladesh registered its first win at home at Bangabandhu National Stadium against India on 26 December 2004.


Also or formerly known as National Stadium; Dacca Stadium

Unused since March 1, 2005. Now used exclusively for football.

Named after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman - Father of the Nation.


Capacity 36000

Floodlights Since 1998

End names Pavilion End, Paltan End


First Test : Pakistan v India - Jan 1-4, 1955.

Last Test : Bangladesh v Zimbabwe - Jan 14-18, 2005.

First ODI : Pakistan v Sri Lanka - Oct 27, 1988.

Last ODI : Bangladesh v Zimbabwe - Jan 31, 2005.

Although there have been various 'A' Team matches and friendly matches over the years, it was not until 1988 when top-level international cricket returned to the stadium when Bangladesh hosted the third Asia Cup. There was a wait of 10 years until the next official ODI tournament when Bangladesh took on Pakistan and India in the Independence Cup, celebrating 25 years of Bangladesh autonomy. India won both of these tournaments.

Kurmitola Golf Club

Kurmitola Golf Club

Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka. Bangladesh

The history of Kurmitola Golf Club (KGC) dates back to the mid-fifties. Shifting from its original location (presently Zia International Airport), it finally settled at the present site in the mid-sixties. Initially the layout of the course was done by a keen golfer and architect Mr. Pennink but newly laid course was redesigned and developed to its present challenging form by Dr. Sukitti Klangvhisai, Ph.D. Now Kurmitola Golf Club is an international golf club having linked with all renowned club of the world. An area of 126 acres well laid out for professional golf.


Golf is an outdoor stick-and-ball sport in which competing players (golfers) using many types of clubs, attempt to hit balls into each hole on a golf course in the lowest number of strokes. Golf is one of the few ball games that do not use a standardized playing area; rather the game is played on golf "courses", each one of which has a unique design and typically consists of either 9 or 18 holes. Golf is defined in the rules of golf as "playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules".

The rules of golf are internationally standardised and are jointly governed by The R&A, spun off in 2004 from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (founded 1754), and the United States Golf Association (USGA).

The underlying principle of the rules is fairness. As stated on the back cover of the official rule book: Play the ball as it lies, play the course as you find it, and if you cannot do either, do what is fair.

There are strict regulations regarding the amateur status of golfers. Essentially, anybody who has ever received payment or compensation for giving instruction or played golf for money is not considered an amateur and may not participate in competitions limited solely to amateurs. However, amateur golfers may receive expenses which comply with strict guidelines and they may accept non-cash prizes within the limits established by the Rules of Amateur Status.

In addition to the officially printed rules, golfers also abide by a set of guidelines called golf etiquette. Etiquette guidelines cover matters such as safety, fairness, easiness and pace of play, and a player's obligation to contribute to the care of the course. Though there are no penalties for breach of etiquette rules, players generally follow the rules of golf etiquette in an effort to improve everyone's playing experience.

National game of Bangladesh

Photo caption : playing time of Kabaddi (ha-du-du)

Kabaddi (Ha-du-du)

Kabadi recognised as the national game of Bangladesh. It is a team sport originally from Pakistan and India. The team consists of 12 players but only seven plays in the court and the rest stay out of court as extras. Two teams occupy opposite halves of a field and take turns sending a "raider" into the other half, in order to win points by tagging or wrestling members of the opposing team; the raider then tries to return to his own half, holding his breath during the whole raid.

Kabaddi is popular throughout South Asia, and has also spread to Southeast Asia, Japan and Iran. It is the national game of Bangladesh where it is known as Hadudu.
Kabadi is a very popular game in Bangladesh, especially in the villages and, for that, it is also called the 'game of rural Bengal'. In some areas kabadi is also known as ha-du-du. But despite its popularity ha-du-du had no definite rules and it used to be played with different rules in different areas. Ha-du-du was given the name kabadi and the status of National Game in 1972.
Bangladesh Amateur Kabadi Federation was formed in 1973. It framed rules and regulations for the game. Bangladesh first played kabadi test in 1974 with a visiting Indian team, which played test matches with the district teams of Dhaka, Tangail, Dinajpur, Jessore, Faridpur and Comilla. In 1978, the Asian Amateur Kabadi Federation was formed at a conference of delegates from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan in the Indian town of Villai.
Gameplay

Kabaddi at the Asian Games 2006In the team, or transnational, style of kabaddi, two teams of seven members each occupy opposite halves of a field of 12.5m × 10m (roughly half the size of a basketball court). Each has five supplementary players held in reserve. The game is in 20-minute halves, with a five-minute half-time break during which the teams switch sides.

Each time a player is out the opposing team earns a point. A team scores a bonus of two points, called a lona, if the entire opposing team is declared out. At the end of the game, the team with the most points wins. Matches are staged on age and weight. Six officials supervise a match: one referee, two umpires, a scorer and two assistant scorers.

History and development

The origin of Kabaddi can be traced to pre-historic times when man learned how to defend in groups against animals or attack weaker animals individually or in groups for survival and food. Though Kabaddi is primarily an South Asian game, not much is known about the origin of this game. It was probably invented to ward off group attacks. The game was popular in southern Asia in different forms under different names. A dramatized version of the Mahabharata has made an analogy of the game to a tight situation faced by a character called "Abhimaneu", heir of the Pandava kings, when surrounded by the enemy. Buddhist literature speaks of the Gautam Buddha playing Kabaddi. History reveals that princes played to display their strength. The game, known as Hu-Tu-Tu in Western India, Ha-Do-Do in Eastern India and Bangladesh, Chedugudu in Southern India and Kaunbada in Northern India, has changed through the ages. Modem Kabaddi is a synthesis of the game played in various forms under different names.

There is a popular belief that Kabaddi originated in the South Indian State of Tamil Nadu. The story of origination of Kabaddi begins by hitting and running of a boy for a candy. The boy who was hit chased the boy who hit him, and hit him back and ran away and it goes on this way. Holding the breath while chasing was an added element when the game evolved. There are various names to this game. KABADDI (Tamil), SADUGUDU (Tamil), GUDUGUDU (Tamil), PALINJADUGUDU (Tamil) and SADUGOODATTHI (Tamil). The word Kabaddi could have originated from the Tamil words KAI (hand), PIDI (catch).

Kabaddi received international exposure during the 1936 Berlin Olympics, demonstrated by Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal, Amaravati, Maharashtra. The game was introduced in the Indian Olympic Games at Calcutta in 1938. In 1950 the All India Kabaddi Federation came into existence and compiled standard rules. The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) was founded in 1973. After formation of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India, the first men's nationals were held in Madras (re-named Chennai), while the women's were in Calcutta in 1955.The AKFI has given new shape to the rules and has the right to modify them. The Asian Kabaddi Federation was founded under the chairmanship of Mr. Janardan Singh Gehlot.

Asian Amateur Kabaddi Federation is now Headed By Mr. Janardan Singh Gehlot as President and Mr. Muhammad Sarwar as Secretary General.

Kabaddi was introduced and popularized in Japan in 1979. The Asian Amateur Kabaddi Federation sent Prof. Sundar Ram of India to tour Japan for two months to introduce the game.

In 1979, a return test between Bangladesh and India was held at different places of India including Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Punjab. The Asian Kabaddi Championship was arranged in 1980 and India emerged as champion and Bangladesh runner-up. Bangladesh became runner-up again in 1985 in the Asian Kabaddi Championship held in Jaipur, India. The other teams in the tournament were Nepal, Malaysia and Japan. The game was included for the first time in the Asian Games in Beijing in 1990. India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh took part. India won the gold medal and has won gold at the following three Asian Games in Hiroshima in 1994, Bangkok in 1998 and Busan in 2002. India won the gold medal in the 2006 Asian Games at Doha.

Kabaddi is now a very popular game and is a regular sport in Asian Games, Asian Indoor Games and Asian Beach Games apart from SAF Games. Kabaddi will be a demonstration sport during Commonwealth Games 2010 at New Delhi.

The tournaments arranged by Bangladesh Kabadi Federation include National Kabadi Competition, National Youth Kabadi Competition, Premier Kabadi, First Division Kabadi League, Second Division Kabadi League, Independence Day Kabadi Competition, Victory Day Kabadi Competition, Baishakhi Kabadi Fair, Boys' Kabadi Competition and School Kabadi Competition. Teams of different services clubs, and corporations play kabadi in Bangladesh.

Bird of Bangladesh

Oriental Magpie Robin

Its color is a mixture of black and white. The doel is small in size and fickle in movement. In rural area of Bangladesh the doel is frequently seen. One of the brightest features of the doel is that it has an enchanting whistle playing off and on. The doel does not fly very high and likes to stay close to the earth. It feeds on insects.

The Magpie Robin is the National Bird of Bangladesh, where it is common and known as the Doyel or Doel. It is a widely used symbol in Bangladesh, appearing on currency notes and a landmark in the city of Dhaka is named as the Doyel Chatwar.

Its color is a mixture of black and white. The doel is small in size and fickle in movement. In rural area of Bangladesh the doel is frequently seen. One of the brightest features of the doel is that it has an enchanting whistle playing off and on. The doel does not fly very high and likes to stay close to the earth. It feeds on insects.

The Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but now considered an Old World flycatcher. They are distinctive black and white birds with a long tail that is held upright as they forage on the ground or perch conspicuously. Distributed in many parts of tropical South and Southeast Asia, they are common birds in urban gardens as well as forests. They are particularly well known for their songs and were once popular as cagebirds.

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Muscicapidae
Genus: Copsychus
Species: C. saularis

Binomial name
Copsychus saularis

Distribution and habitat

This magpie-robin is a resident breeder in tropical southern Asia from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia, Thailand, south China and the Philippines. They have been introduced to Australia.
The Oriental Magpie Robin is found in open woodland, cultivated areas often close to human habitations.

Behaviour and ecology

Male singing Magpie Robins breed mainly from March to July in India and January to June in Southeast Asia, nesting in tree hollows or niches in walls or building. The female is involved in most of the nest building that happens about a week before the eggs are laid. Four or five eggs are laid in intervals of 24 hours and these are oval and usually pale blue green with brownish speckles. The eggs are incubated by the female alone for 8 to 14 days. The nests have a characteristic odour.

Females spend more effort on feeding the young than males. Males are quite aggressive in the breeding season and will defend their territory. and respond to the singing of intruders and even their reflections. Males spend more time on nest defense. Studies of the bird song show dialects with neighbours varying in their songs. The calls of many other species may be imitated as part of their song. This may indicate that birds disperse and are not philopatric.They appear to use elements of the calls of other birds in their own songs. Females may sing briefly in the presence of male. Apart from their song, they use a range of calls including territorial calls, emergence and roosting calls, threat calls, submissive calls, begging calls and distress calls. The typical mobbing calls is a harsh hissing krshhh.

The food of Magpie Robins is mainly insects and other invertebrates. They are known to occasionally take geckos, leeches, centipedes and even fish.

They are often active late at dusk. They sometimes bathe in rainwater collected on the leaves of a tree.