THE PRAIRIE, FALCON. 52 
terializes out of the empty blue and picks up a gopher or a blackbird as quietly 
as you would pluck a flower. The approach has doubtless been nicely calcu- 
lated. The thunderbolt, launched from the height of half a mile, has been 
checked every few hundred feet by a slight opening of the wings that the 
Falcon might gauge the caliber and intent of the victim; and the final plunge 
has, therefore, 
the speed and 
accuracy of 
fate. In case of 
laroen came 
the quarry is 
knocked head- 
long by a crash- 
ing blow, after 
which the as- 
sailant turns to 
try conclusions 
as to weight. 
3ut the Falcon 
prefers always 
to snatch, and 
when small 
game is abun- 
dant, the bird is 
less likely to 
disturb rabbits 
or poultry. 
To be honest 
with you, I 
fear the Prairie 
EeaMlicomunisnra 
great nuisance 
sometimes. It 
is he who gets 
the chickens 
while Red-tail 
gets the shot. 
It would be 
amusing if it Taken : Photo 
rer = near : by the 
were not so Chelan % Author. 
tragic at times, 
i A NESTING CLIFF ON LAKE CHELAN 
to see the Fal- 
WHERE THE BABIES SHOWN IN THE NEXT ILLUSTRATION WERE CRADLED 
