Tweeters,

There's this descending grunt that emanates from wetland
environments, reminds of something the Penguin (of Batman)
might use for laughter. I have been calling it a Virginia
Rail call but began to doubt myself. The cd "Bird Songs of
the Pacific States" was not much help. The call is audible
in the background of the Sora recording which had me
thinking it might be a Sora call. However, bird recordings
often have other species in the background (though the
producers will sometimes warn the listener about what
critters can be heard in the background). I began to worry
that I was mistaking a Common Snipe call for a rail call.

Yesterday, I borrowed a cassette tape (I hate cassette tapes)
called "Wildlife Voices - Eastern Oregon Bird Songs and Calls,
Tape 1" from Joe Buchanan. It was produced by Eleanor A. Pugh
and is supposedly available from Lichen Co-op, PO Box 25, zip
97497 (no city given). On it, I found the call, in the foreground,
under Virginia Rail. I am so relieved.

Kelly McAllister