Extremely secretive inhabitant of wet grassland, meadows, and hayfields, mainly in wilder areas. Distinctive song can draw attention, given mainly early and late in the day, also often at night. It is a rasping double-noted croak, repeated on and on, suggesting a pen being drawn across a comb, or a raspy duck quack. Plumage brownish overall with gray face and breast, stout pinkish bill; in flight shows bright rusty wings.