OF VICTORIA. 179 



STONE PLOYER 



(Land Curlew), 



Burhiims grallarius, Lath. 



Bu-rhhtus gra-lari-us. 

 Bu, from hous, an ox ; rhls [rhinos), the nostril ; grallce, stilts. 



Geographical Distribution. — Areas 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 ; accidental 

 in 5 (W. V. Legge). 



Key to the Species. — Upper surface ashy-grey, much streaked ; 

 lores, narrow eyebrow, and a spot below eye white ; black and 

 rufous line across the eye and ear coverts ; cheeks reddish- 

 brown ; hind toe absent ; bill shorter than head, apical portion 

 swollen and forming marked dertrum, the apical curve of genys 

 ascending gently. Total length, 20 inches. 



This long-legged bird is generally to be found upon the 

 ground, running just as plovers do, and living under con- 

 ditions very liitle altered. While the bulk of plovers 

 prefer tlie ])lain, this species will frequent either the timber 

 country or the grassy open. It is the proprietor of the 

 weird call " wee-loo " or "cur-loo " that the bushmen hear 

 in the night. It is only a nocturnal bird to the same extent 

 as the ducks, geese, and waders in general are night birds. 

 The habits are not the same as those of the Owl or 

 Morepork, although it feeds at night as well as by day- 

 The Stone Plover is a stately bird wliile walking across the 

 plain, and if disturbed the pace will change into a rapid 

 run. Often it will bring its great power of mimicry to bear 

 in self-protection by choosing a place that harmonizes 

 with its colour. Assuming a rigid form in almost any 

 peculiar position it will remain very quiet till the danger 

 has disappeared. Hawks are its natural enemies, and it is 

 ever on the alert for them. Sportsmen know how difficult 



