The Prairie Falcon 



believe there is) we as nature students have naught to do with it. If we 

 are to rind satisfaction in things as they are, if we are to enjoy nature, 

 external nature, we must surrender ourselves to admiration of beak and 

 talon no less than of wing and song. We may champion the cause of 

 our specialty — Birds — against the world, if you like, and death to cat, 

 weasel, and serpent; but you cannot adjudicate as between magpie and 

 chick, hawk and sparrow, raptor and raptee. Or if you do, you will 

 only make yourself miserable, — and wherefore? 



All of which is artful preface to a declaration of love for that arch 

 scamp and winged terror, the Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) . Ruthless 

 he is, and cruel as death; but ah, isn't he superb! To recall his image is 

 to obtain release from imprisoning walls, glad exit from formal gardens 

 and the chirping of sparrows. To recall his scream is to set foot on the 

 instant upon the bastion of some fortress of the wilderness. Away with 

 your orange-bowered bungalows! Give me a sun-burned battlement in 

 the hills of San Luis Obispo County. A plague on your dickey birds! 



Taken in San Luis Obispo County 



CATTLE COUNTRY 



Pholo by the Author 



Let me dare the displeasure of the noble falcon as he falls like a bolt 

 from the avenging blue and shrieks out his awful rage. Curse for curse 

 and blow for blow, you jolly old pirate! Hide your treasures in the 

 remotest cranny of the uttermost wilderness, if you will, and I shall find 



1610 



