comprehension

[jiang]

Dear teachers,

I have difficulty understanding the following sentence:

We heard a ground squirrel whistle down over the bluff among the dead treetops.

First, “whistle down” is not a set phrase. Is that right?
Second, because the ground squirrel was on treetops for those who were down below the sound came from the bluff which was high above the ground. That’s why there is the word “down” (from the bluff to the ground) and “over” (from the ground to the bluff). Is that right?

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.

Jiang

[J&K Tutoring]

We heard a ground squirrel whistle down over the bluff among the dead treetops.

1. Many rodents will make a sort of whistling sound to communicate.
2. The listeners are below the bluff, and the squirrel is on top of the bluff.

SO:

We heard the ground squirrel whistle.
He was on top and we were below.
The sound travelled horizontally to the edge and then 'fell' down to our ears after going over the edge..

[jiang]

Hi J& K,

Thank you so much for your explanation. The language is so simple and the explanation is so clear!

Jiang

We heard a ground squirrel whistle down over the bluff among the dead treetops.

1. Many rodents will make a sort of whistling sound to communicate.
2. The listeners are below the bluff, and the squirrel is on top of the bluff.

SO:

We heard the ground squirrel whistle.
He was on top and we were below.
The sound travelled horizontally to the edge and then 'fell' down to our ears after going over the edge..