New York State Flower and State Bird
Eastern Bluebird ~ Sialia sialis
The sweet liquid warble of this early spring migrant was music that Henry Thoreau looked forward to with eagerness. While the bright blue of the male pleased his eyes, even more pleasing to him was the bird’s song in flight. Often deceived by prematurely mild weather, many Bluebirds return north too soon, and are killed by sleet and ice storms. For this and other reasons, the Bluebird is now rare in vast portions of the East. Fortunately, many concerned individuals help shelter the early-returning Bluebirds by building boxes.
Rose ~ Rosa Carolina
Prior to the latter part of the 16th century, only four species of Rose were known to the Western world. The revolution in Rose breeding in England came about the year 1800 with the introduction of several China Rose species. There are now some 4,000 species. Most Roses are thorny, and are characterized by flowers having five sets of parts, as well as a fleshy fruit, such as rose hip or an apple. No flower of the Western world has had such great significance or such a proud tradition as the Rose. As a symbol of purity, it recurs in religion, art, literature, and heraldry.
From The Wildflowers of the 50 States U.S. stamps issued July 24, 1992:
New York Wildflower - Large-Flowered Trillium
Art from the 50-stamp series, State Birds and Flowers,
issued April 14, 1982 simultaneously in all state capitals.
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