2004sep08. Awhile ago I was talking about a roadrunner visiting me perhaps because it was interested in the sound of the blender ... I found this passage in Arizona and its Bird Life (1951) by Herbert Brandt. Dude seriously needs an editor, but let’s muddle through it:
“Then begin to squeak in a high-pitched, mild manner with periods of silence [ ... ] with practice the squeak can be drawn high-pitched and shrill, which refinement often is useful in attracting smaller fry, especially hummingbirds; whereas a wide range of lower strident tones, imitating groans and the dire distress of an unfortunate bird, brings posthaste larger creatures, especially roadrunners, hawks, owls, jays, rabbits, and even the coyote and snakes.”