Sound of flight to great plains (7)

I believe the answer is:

steppes

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'great plains' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for steppes that I've seen before include "Dry grassy plains of Russia" , "grassy areas" , "Russian treeless plains" , "Eurasian grasslands" , "Great plains of Russia" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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