The Raven 



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iV.-.WfeV 



Taken in San Luis Obispo County 



A LONG HAUL 



THE NEST APPEARS ABOUT MIDWAY OF THE CRANNY 



Photo by the A ulhor 



passed master of the art of flying, but he is an ace of aces for coolness. 

 At the critical moment, by a dexterous side flip, too subtle for explanation, 

 he always manages to avoid the fatal stroke. It is the supreme test of 

 skill, and it is doubtful if any other bird could meet it. Lacking weapons 

 of defense, such as, for example, the Redtail possesses in his big talons, 

 it is no joke to meet an angry Falcon in midair. Our hero is playing with 

 death, and he knows it. 



A typical nest of the Raven is placed midway of some rock ledge, 

 unapproachable save by rope either from above or below. If the recess 

 in the wall is not shaped just to convenience, it must be filled level with 

 crisscrossed sticks lodged at haphazard against the cranny's sides. In 

 the top a relatively deep hollow is fashioned, and this bowl is lined with 

 every soft substance available, basally with roots and shredded bark, 

 interiorly and very bulkily with animal coverings, chiefly those reft from 

 carcasses — horsehair and cowhair with hide adhering, or wool in great 

 masses. Strips of cloth gleaned from deserted camps, tattered canvas, 



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