Til ft IS I R OS OF AUSTRALIA 
2/K 
Notes. Also called Black-breasted Plover, Flock Plover, Plain 
Plover, and Tricoloured Plover. Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting 
well grassed lands in the vic inity of water, as well as plains far from it. 
It is partly nomadic, its movements from one district to another being 
influenced by the seasonal conditions. Like the other species of Plovers, 
it resents any interference with its eggs or young, and employs all manner 
of wiles to lure the intruder away, or, protesting loudly, will make bold 
swoops at an observer. Food : insects and their larvae, also seeds of 
grasses and other plants. 
Nest. A shallow depression scratched in the ground. 
E(j(js. Four, light brown, covered with irregular-shaped s|>ots and 
blotches of brown, blackish-brown, and some underlying markings of 
grey, Breeding-season: July to November. 
2(>. White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucoptera Temminck 
Child on t ax ( ik, chlidon — ornament : ICUc-op'-lcr-a — Gk, leucos , white ; 
Gk, pier on, wing. 
Distribution. Southern and central Europe, across central Asia to 
China, migrating southwards to Africa, India, Malaysia, to Australia; 
accidental to North America and New Zealand. 
Notes Also called Eastern White winged "Fern. This species visits 
northern Australia during the spring and summer months, where it 
frequents lakes and swamps. Very little has been recorded of its habits 
while in Australia. The coloured figure represents an adult in winter 
plumage; an adult in breeding plumage has the entire head, neck, upper 
back, breast, flanks, and abdomen glossy black; lower back and rump, 
greyish black ; upper tail-coverts and tail, pure white. 
Nest. C omposed of vegetable debris piled to form a fairly large 
structure, and placed on water-surrounded clumps of fixed vegetation; 
occasionally on accumulations of pond material floating on the surface. 
Breeds in large colonies, often in association with the Whiskered 'fern. 
lltjtjs. Usually three, varying from deep olive or pale chocolate to 
greenish-grey or buff, covered with blotches, dots, or streaks of black or 
umber, generally forming an irregular belt round the larger end. Breeding- 
season : May, June, and July (does not breed in Australia). 
27. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Balias 
hy'-brid a L„ hibrida , a mongrel. 
Distribution. Australia and Tasmania; also occurs in Europe, 
Africa, central and southern Asia, and Malaysia. 
Notes. Also called Marsh Tern. Usually in flocks, frequenting 
chiefly lakes and swamps of the inland districts. It has an easy and 
extremely graceful flight as it passes over the lakes, every now and then 
darting down into the water after food, which consists mostly of live 
fish and aquatic insects and their larvae. 
