how do you spell...

[Zondrae]

Morning all,

I have posed this question before but so far I have not had a satisfactory reply. So get your thinking caps on and submit an offering. Please

How would you write (or spell) the sound of a magpie call. I have had 'chortle' or something like that.
But that simply names the sound. It doesn't spell the actual sound. I would like to write down a word that conveys the actual sound so that the reader can read/imagine/hear the sound of a rolling Magpie call. You know, like you hear on a frosty winter morning, just as that weak yellow sun peeps over the horizon.

I would be interested in any ideas.

[warooa]

We don't get magpies up here, but being a born and bred Victorian the most common magpie call I remember went something like (in a brain-dead drawl): goooodoleCollingwoodforever


But seriously . . . we get these nocturnal orange footed scrub fowls up here in the rainforest and they sound like a magpie with a golfball stuck in its throat.

a bit of a "wardlecook"

Marty

[Bob Pacey]

We always call it Chortling or Warbling Zondrae, I have a book and a cd of bird alls somewhere from my younger days I'll see if I can find it and let you know.


What I really love is the little butcher birds, We are spreading mulch at the monent and they dive in and out between your feet getting the bugs then sit and sing for us almost as if in payment.


Bob

[David Campbell]

Hi Zondrae

Below is a poem by New Zealand poet Dennis Glover that gives one version of a magpie's call. It's a good effort, although maybe there are some sounds that are so pure and magnificent that we shouldn't try to reduce them to the printed word.

Cheers
David

The Magpies

When Tom and Elizabeth took the farm
The bracken made their bed
and Quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle
The magpies said
Tom's hand was strong to the plough
and Elizabeth's lips were red
and Quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle
The magpies said

Year in year out they worked
while the pines grew overhead
and Quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle
The magpies said

But all the beautiful crops soon went
to the mortgage man instead
and Quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle
The magpies said

Elizabeth is dead now (it's long ago)
Old Tom's gone light in the head
and Quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle
The magpies said

The farms still there. Mortgage corporations
couldn't give it away
and Quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle
The magpies say.

[r.magnay]

Yep David, I reckon that's about as close as your gonna get, I agree that some things are probably best left to nature.

[Zondrae]

Greetings David and Ross,

Now Ross I'm sure you will remember this one. and Glenny who gave me some guidance. As there are a few newer members active now, I will post the poem which I'm sure I have posted a while back . It was written in 2006. I still am not happy with the written 'call'. Opinion and ideas welcome.


MY MAGPIE FRIEND (re-write 5/10)
© Zondrae King (05/06) Corrimal

My Magpie friend, the world may sleep, but still I hear you call,
as morning creeps in through the mist, from eucalyptus tall.
In pairs dressed somberly in black, with shiny shawls of white,
you praise the dawn and stretch your back and call to greet the light.

You rouse me long before the morning suns first warming kiss.
My rested spirit rises free from dreams and slumbers bliss.
We yawn, then, with your murmuring caress of chortled song,
my presence here, my place and yours, you bless, and we belong.

My magpie friend, my guardian, you open up my mind,
to see and hear the stirring earth. Oh don’t let me be blind.
Awaken me so I can see the clouds first blush of day
and always let me love to watch the children as they play.

In spring your raucous call warns clear. You call “Kooraw-Kooroo”
if I should chance too near your babes already dressed like you.
You tuck them safe, in hidden nest, protecting, guarding yours.
You drive away unwanted guest, with beating wings and claws.

My Magpie friend with piercing eye, I know your puzzled look,
in waving branches held on high or from some rooftop nook.
When worries wound my weary soul, when everything seems wrong,
with ebony coat glistening, come, sooth me with your song.

You perch upon the phone line, in your formal black and white
and meet to form the choir that will usher in the night.
Then, gathering among the trees, as evening shadows creep,
in groups of fours or twos or threes, you sing the world to sleep.

My Magpie friend your sweet refrain, is ringing in my ears.
In winters chill or springtime rain, through all the passing years,
o’er rolling hills and valleys deep it echoes mile by mile.
“Cooroolleekee karraloocoo” it always makes me smile.

When in the Snowy Mountains or on Opal fields out west,
round apple tree, on forest floor, in native scrub, at rest,
we travel free, cross rivers, plains, green mountains, dry red sand,
you welcome me. To me you are the spirit of the land.

[Neville Briggs]

Cooroolleekee karraloocoo” it always makes me smile

Works for me Zondrae. There are several pairs living close to my place. I am sure they would recognise your onomatopoeia.

[r.magnay]

'morning Zondrae, yes of course I remember that, and though the written sound may require a little more imagination than simple (or complicated) word pictures, as Neville says, "It works for me" I don't recall or maybe I never knew, but has that poem ever won any awards?

[Zondrae]

Morning Ross,

It has received Commended or Encouragement awards, not sure which. I'd have to have a look. I had memorised it a long time back and recited it once or twice. At that stage it was the longest poem I had memorised. I haven't done it for a long time. I might refresh it for the Illawarra Festival. Thanks for asking Ross. Have a safe and happy Christmas and best wishes for the new year.

[Frank Daniel]

I'd suggest you record the poem and ask
Elaine Delaney to mimic the magpies call.
She's a whizz at this sort of thing.
Joe