90 BULLETIN 162, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



locate. It is easily imitated, however, and the birds readily answer when one 

 whistles ; when the flock is scattered they will sometimes even return, calling 

 ;it intervals as they approach. The only other note I have heard is a quavering 

 whistle uttered as they take flight. 



Mrs. Bailey (1928) says that 



the low call of the M earns Quail, suggestive of the quavering cry of a Screech 

 Owl, adds to the fascination of the pursuit of this illusory bird, for it is ventrilo- 

 quial in quality and leads you such a fruitless chase that you return to camp 

 with an exaggerated interest in this feathered Will-o'-the-wisp. 



Fall. — In some notes sent to Major Bendire (1892) Doctor Nelson 

 states that 



the birds breeding along the northern limit of their habitat migrate southward 

 in October*. In southern Arizona the same result of a warmer winter climate 

 is obtained by descending the flanks of the mountains. The summer range of 

 this species is just above and bordering that of Gambel's Quail in parts of 

 Arizona and New Mexico. The fact that Gambel's Quail changes its range but 

 little in winter results in these birds being found very frequently occupying 

 the same ground at this season. I have never seen the Massena Partridge 

 in coveys larger than would be attributed to a pair of adults with a small brood 

 of young. Frequently a pair raise but three or four, and I do not remember 

 having ever seen more than six or seven of these birds in a covey. 



DISTRIBUTION 



Range. — Southwestern United States (except California) and 

 northern Mexico. The range of Mearns's quail is extremely circum- 

 scribed. It extends north to Arizona (Fort Whipple, Camp Verde, 

 Mogollon Ridge, Wilcox, and Marsh Lake) ; New Mexico (Zuni 

 Mountains, San Mateo Mountains, White Mountains, and Guadalupe 

 Mountains) ; and central Texas (San Angelo and Mason). East to 

 Texas (Mason, Kerrville, Bandera Hills, and San Antonio) ; 

 Durango (Ramos, El Salto, and Huasamota) ; and Nayarit (San 

 Blasito). South to Nayarit (San Blasito). West to Nayarit (San 

 Blasito) ; western Chihuahua (50 miles northeast of Choix, Sinaloa) ; 

 central Sonora (La Chumata and Patagonia Mountains) ; and Ari- 

 zona (Baboquivari Mountains, Rincon Mountains, Mount Turnbull, 

 and Fort Whipple). 



The species has a vertical range from 4,000 to 9,000 feet, the birds 

 moving to the higher altitudes early in fall and retiring upon the 

 approach of winter. They apparently do not, however, descend 

 below the lowest parts of the breeding range. 



Egg dates. — New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico : 29 records, April 

 24 to September 5; 15 records, June 23 to August 1G. 



