103

Concord, Mass.
1916.
Aug. 30
to
Nov. 4

Vocal & wing sounds made by rising Pheasants

  When an old cock Pheasant is flushed by either man
or dog he is likely to call oc-oc-oc-oc-oc in hoase [hoarse] tones
and almost certain to make - presumably with his muscular
wings - a rather loud clattering sound not unlike that
which may be produced by drawing the tip end of a 
cane across the slats of a picket fence. The hen is
ungiven to any vocal outcry on such occasions
- or, for that matter, many others - but her flight is
commonly accompanied by a continuous whistling noise,
unquestionably proceeding from the wings. It is lower-pitched 
than that of the Woodcock's; less silvery than that of the
Carolina Dove's; perhaps most like that of the Golden-eye
Duck's, although not nearly as far reaching - being quite
inaudible at distances exceeding one or two
hundred yards and perhaps not to be heard beyond
fifty or sixty yards when there is strong wind blowing.