STL vector as a function parameter with default value (heres another one for you Jerry...)

I have a fuction that takes a vector as a parameter.

I want to be able to have a default value so I'm not required to pass anything if I don't need to.

I pass vectors by reference because of some things I need to do with it that pointers don't do.

anyway

I can define my function like this

func(vector<unsigned int> foo = vector<unsigned int>());

and everthing is fine, however if I define like this,

func(vector<unsigned int>& foo = vector<unsigned int>());

I get

error: invalid type `std::vector<unsigned int, std::allocator<unsigned int> >' for default argument to ` std::vector<unsigned int, std::allocator<unsigned int> >&'

I am running SuSE 9.1 2.6.5-7.145-default

This syntax works with Borland 6 windoze (disclaimer: no, not mine, co-worker's)

the only work-around I've come up with is to declare a global variable

vector<unsigned int> g_empty_vec;

then use that func(vector<unsigned int>& foo = g_empty_vec);

I'd like something a little cleaner if possible....

Thanks in advance,

B-)