154 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA : 



were able to stand and feed themselves. The prevailing 

 colour of the young in down is a light-grey, with a dark 

 marking in the shape of an oval line extending from the 

 head to near the end of the back ; dark lines also extend 

 from the head towards the tail. The young, if alarmed, 

 hide themselves, and lie quite motionless with necks out- 

 stretched, rendering their discovery a matter of difficulty. 



It would be difficult to speak too highly of this bird as a 

 vermin destroyer, especially in gardens. It has many 

 advantages over the well-known Jamieson's Gull, as it is 

 more voracious and persistent in its search for slugs, &c., 

 and is also more easily reconciled to captivity than even 

 the Sea Gull itself, the latter being always on the alert to 

 try and make its escape. A friend of mine had one of 

 these useful birds for years, and during the whole time the 

 garden was kept wonderfully free from pests of any kind. 



Although the Stone Plover is not a very common bird 

 in most parts of Victoria, Mr. Campbell mentions having 

 seen as many as 50 in a flock in the Cardwell district of 

 North Queensland. It is found all over Australia and 

 Tasmania. 



