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 Nov., I9O 7 THE PRAIRIE FALCONS OF SADDLE-BACK BUTTE An illustrated Bulletin of the wide-awake Nebraska Ornithological Uniou, issued a few years ago, aroused in me a sharp renewal of deep-slumbering interest in the Prairie Falcon. For a half-tone which accompanied the account gave the ex- act spot where Mr. Carriker (now in South America) saw two callow young and a tantalizing egg lying on a ledge twelve feet below the summit of the nesting butte. And it was graphically told how the daring youngster was only restrained from attempting that dangerous vertical climb-down, without any rope, over the wetted rocks, by the caution of two staid professors of the University! The half-tone looked strangely familiar, tho the butte had been pictured from an aspect I had not seen. Suddenly it dawned upon me that the Saddle-back Butte was none other than one of a most venerable series which crovned the hill- tops of a certain picturesque uplift above the prairie, in Sioux County, Nebraska. These I had seen and admired as I entered the country, Wyoming-ward. I was but seventy miles away. I would see the Saddle-back again! SADDLE-BACK BUTTE, THE IESTING SITE OF TIlE PRAIRIE FALCON With ample ropeage I went, in latter-May. As I climbed the slow grade that rose to the foot of the butte I kept both eyes astrain for the sight of the kingly birds not seen before for twenty years. But only as I touched the steep incline and laboriously began the upward climb that led to the foot of Saddle-back Butte did the male come out at me. With what incarnation of mingled grace and solicitude did he sweep down the cliffs toward me, uttering the while, a mellow, quavering cry--Wert-wert-wert- weft-weft-weft--which rang out vibrantly on the morning air. Poising, afar, he began to sweep half-timid, half-cautious curves in my direction. It seemed as if he were worrying about that sitting mate of his; yet felt a little too cautious to show it. I toiled to the south side of the butte, and made the winding ascent to the top, amusing myself by reading the "fools' names" that were carved at nearly every step. Over the narrow, sloping crest I crept with hair on end, and stood on