Page:Bird-lore Vol 04.djvu/75

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54 Bird- Lore

voice of the Little Black Railfl‘ it seems unnecessary to give, in this con- nection, anything more than the briefest description of its notes.

They vary considerably in number, as well as somewhat in form and quality. The commonest forms are as follows:

Kilt-kik-kik, quémb,

Kik-l-ik-l'ifi, ki-quémh.

Kik-l‘i-H»l’i, h-quéea/Ji

Kit-Ht. tilt-Hr. Hrnl‘ir, Hub}, H-quémb.

The lit-[lit notes are similar to those uttered by the Virginia Rail when calling to her young, but much louder. Although usually delivered in rather rapid succession, they are divided by distinct if short intervals into groups of twos or threes, giving them the effect of being uttered with a


YELLOW RAIL. (One-hall natural size)

certain degree of hesitancyi The terminal quémb or ki-quiea/J is shrill and slightly tremulous, reminding one by turns of the rolling chirrup which a chipmunk makes just as he darts into his hole or of the squealing crow of

1 young rooster. All the notes, although not apparently very loud when
  • It has been since attributed, on what appears In nu- to he inconclusive evidence. to [he Yellow Rail. Auk,

xix. Nu. i. Jam. mm. an. w. (7;