Voices of a New England Marsh 47
especial]; when on the wing. it sometimes utters a rattling Mmrwr-ar-uc 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 ‘ 1 ‘ ' ‘ " I, i it i r) i. U .
VIRGINIA Rv\|l.. lUIIerhall lulnml sin!
from some hriari' thicket or bed of matted reeds, a guttural tut, rut, turm- tutla-mtta repeated at briel intervals. often for hours in succession. This is occasionally interrupted or closely followed by a rapid succession of low yet penetrating grunts not unlike those of a hungry pig. The Virginia Rail is the author of both these sounds. the former appearing to he peculiar to the male and, no doubt, his love song. When heard very near at hand it has a peculiar vibrant quality and seems to issue from the ground directly beneath one's feet. The grunting notes are lgiven by both sexes but. with
