i62 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



It is difficult to flush the Black Rail ; it rises in a 

 weak fluttering manner^ the legs dangling down, and 

 after flying thirty or forty yards drops again into the 

 reeds. Its language is curious : when alarmed the 

 bird repeats, at short intervals, a note almost painful 

 from its excessive sharpness, and utters it standing 

 on a low branch or other elevation, but well masked 

 by reeds and bushes, and incessantly bobbing its 

 head, jerking its tail, and briskly turning from side 

 to side. It has at such times a very interesting 

 appearance, while the long beak, brilliant with the 

 nuptial colouring, the bright red eye and vermilion 

 legs, admirably contrasting with the flne deep slate 

 plumage, give it considerable claims to beauty. At 

 other times it has a hollow call-note with a puzding 

 ventriloquism in the sound, which is sometimes 

 repeated at short intervals for an hour. While utter- 

 ing it the bird stands as usual on a slight eminence, 

 but drawn up in a listless attitude and without any 

 of its nods and jerks and other frisky gestures. It 

 has also a kind of song, which sounds not unlike the 

 braying of a donkey ; hence the vernacular name 

 Burrito (Little Ass) by which the bird is known in the 

 Plata. This song is heard both day and night, an^ 

 is a confused performance, uttered without pause, 

 and composed of several long shrill notes, modulated 

 and mingled with others hollow and booming. These 

 notes can be heard a thousand yards away ; but, far 

 or near, they always sound remote. 



