Voices of a New England Marsh 



47 



especially when on the wing, it sometimes utters a rattling oc-oc-oc-oc-oc 

 and more rarely a deep, hollow groan very impressive when heard, as is 

 often the case, in the depths of some heavily shaded swamp. 



About the middle of April we begin to hear in our marshes, usually in 

 the early morning, late afternoon or during cloudy weather, and coming 



\ IRi;iMA RAII,. ((Jnc-halt natural size) 



from some briary thicket or bed of matted reeds, a guttural cut, nit, cut to - 

 cutta-cutta repeated at brief intervals, often for hours in succession. This 

 is occasionally interrupted or closely followed b\ a rapid succession of low 

 yet penetrating gruius not unlike thosi- of a hungry pig. The N'irginia 

 Rail is the author of both these sounds, tin- fornu-r ajipearing to be peculiar 

 to the male and, no ilouht, his love song. \\ Inn heard \ery near at haml 

 it has a peculiar vibrant cjuality and seems to issue from the ground ilirectly 

 beneath one's feet. The grunting notes are given by both se.xes but. with 



