222 



NESTS AND EGOS OP 



355. FBAIBIE FALCON. Falco memicanus Schleg. Geog. Dist. — Western 

 United States, from the Eastern border of the Plains to the Pacific Ocean. South 

 into Mexico. Casual to Illinois. 



The American Lanner or Prairie Falcon is an abundant species throughout the 

 open country of Western United States. It is the representative of the two Lanners 

 of the Old World. This Falcon is said to possess great strength and daring; it at- 

 tacks and overpowers the great hares of the prairies, and other animals even larger 

 and heavier than itself. It is very common in Wyoming and Washington Terri- 

 tories, Oregon- and California. The Prairie Falcon nests usually on cliffs and ledges 

 of rocks, sometimes in cavities in trees. The composition of the nests is sticks with 



* * Lahnek Falcon, not distinguishable in cut fiom our Prairie Falcun (From Brebm); 



a, lining of grasses. In some of the rocky canons of Colorado nests of this hawk 

 have been found on the tops of those massive sandstone columns that stand solitary 

 and alone like huge chimneys. The eggs are two to five in number. Three sets of 

 the eggs of this species are in the cabinet of J. Parker Norris. One of five eggs. 



