>The only thing I don't like about either Band-tailed Pigeon or California
>Quail for this mystery bird is that I don't think either would be calling
>at 5:30 in the morning (pitch dark) in November (definitely not the
>breeding season for the quail, although the pigeon can breed surprisingly
>late in fall).

The times of day and year are what made me think owl right *off the bat*
(bats are known to be nocturnal,after all). I took another listen to my CD,
which, much to my chagrin, has no track for the Band-tailed Pigeon! But the
quality of voice for the Inca and Spotted Doves sounded dead-on. If the
Band-tailed Pigeon sounds anything like that it could be in the running.

Another thing I noticed later that morning (7:15) as I headed off to work
was a murder of crows making a ruckus in the firs and cottonwoods behind my
house. I watched as long as I could (not very) to see if I could spot an owl
(If I saw one, would it automatically be a Spotted Owl?) and saw nothing.
But the crows were definitely interested and agitated.

Thanks for the input of all. Youse guys and gals are the best!

Michael B. Brown "You don't have to apologise for
13406 125th Av. Ct. E. not knowing the names of the birds
Puyallup, WA 98374 and the stones." -Frank Moorhouse
H-206-841-4281
W-206-841-8733
C-206-208-9588
borealis at borealis.seanet.com