528 THE PRAIRIE FALCON. 
on slip in and get his daily meat with hardly a ripple of excitement on the 
part of the barnyard; while every old hen squawks “‘bloody murder!” and the 
shot-gun roars, when some Buteo, guileless and guiltless, happens to stroll 
over the place. Wild birds are, however, the Falcon’s favorite meat. Captain 
Bendire found them at Walla Walla fattening on Brewer's Blackbirds. Sharp 
tailed Grouse have been staple on the bill of fare until latterly ; and, in general, 
it is safe to say that where Falcons abound the bird-world pays the bills 
It is not always easy to pick out just the spot in the cliff where the 
Falcons are nesting. In case of doubt it is wise to approach stealthily from 
above, in hope of surprising the sitting bird. If her mate is off hunting, a rock 
rattling down the face of the cliff will cause her to dart out silently from her 
post. Next an outburst of screaming rage will reveal her sagacity. Her mate 
hurries up, and then look out for your head! The angry diving of a pair of 
screaming Falcons will try the nerve of the most hardy odlogist. Even when 
the earliest efforts are discouraged by show of stick or stones, it is not pleas- 
ant to feel the rush of the air of a passing falcon-wing upon your dishevelled 
locks, or to mark the instant change from the shrill uproar of impending doom 
to the harsh notes of baffled retreat. 
When a nest 
is located from 
above, one must 
descend, if de- 
scent is possi 
ble, with ut 
most care, both 
for falling 
bones and fall 
ing stones 
When firs: 
reconnoite ring 
the nest shown 
in the accom 
panying illus 
tration, I could 
not see it from 
above, but de 
scended cau 
tiously in faith 
With camera 
slung from 
shoulder, and 1 or lor Photo by the Author 
tripod in hand, rHE FALCON’S BROOD 
