-Mar., IVlo 
NESTIXG OF THE PRAIRIE FALCON 
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veils (and so gets credited with a “stick” nest, though I am satisfied that the 
Falcon never lifts a twig) ; and the Ravens, in turn, without opposition, are al- 
lowed to rear their pile in a niche just previously occupied by the Falcons. The 
ruses adopted by birds hard pressed are sometimes humorously pathetic. A Fab 
con which last year occupied the front of a noble escarpment in a wild valley 
(and forfeited four clouded beauties thereby), was found this year after a 
lengthy search, in a tiny niche once occupied by a Road-runner, on the back, or 
hill-facing side, of a minor sandstone tooth, and not over twenty feet from the 
ground. The retreat had been betrayed by an incautious line of white excrement, 
and the occupant, when summoned by a shout from the triumphant Kelly, looked 
Fig. 14. An E.-^sy Descent; nest in cr.^nny a tittle above climber 
the very picture of disgust and chagrin. She was mad all through, too disgusted 
for utterance, and she sat glooming upon the edge of the nest until we drew very 
near. When she flew she gave vent to the usual number of futile expletives, 
whereupon the male joined her and gave us a double blessing. 
Choice of sites varies from “potholes” and crannies to more pretentious 
caves or even open ledges. A south exposure is oftenest favored and there seems 
to be no particular elfort on the part of the sitting bird to avoid the glare of the 
sun. Unseasonable rains, however, do sometimes cause her discomfort, and more 
rarely, loss. 
The first two weeks in April are the golden weeks for Falcon nesting in the 
cattle country. Evidently many sets are complete by April first, for we found 
