Mr. II. E. Dresser on the Birds of Sovfhcni Texas. 29 



Cyrtonyx massena (Lesson). Massena Quail, or Black 

 Partridge. 



I had often heard of the " Black Partridge," and had sought 

 for it near San Antonio, but without success. In November, 

 when in the Bandera Hills, I kept a sharp look out for it, having 

 been told by a Mexican herdsman that I should probably find 

 it there, and I was at last successful in my search. One even- 

 ing when returning to camp I noticed some Quail which seemed 

 unlike Texan Quail, flying down the hillside and dropping into 

 a bunch of high weeds. Suspecting them to be Black Partridges, 

 I oould not then disturb them, as they had evidently taken up 

 their quarters for the night ; but I was there the following 

 morning before daybreak, and so soon as it was light enough to 

 see to shoot I walked through the weeds and trod them up, 

 getting a double shot at them and knocking down a couple, 

 which to my delight I found to be the real Massena Quail. I 

 tried to mark the rest down, but could not do so ; and, for all 

 I know to the contrary, they may be going yet, for I watched 

 them as far as I could with my glass, and they were still on the 

 wing. I afterwards found the bird on several occasions when 

 riding along the higher hill-ranges, and altogether shot six, 

 while a man who was with me killed two more. In their habits 

 they are more like the Texan Quail than any other, but on the 

 wing are easily distinguished, for they fly heavily though very 

 swiftly. When disturbed, they squat very close, and will not 

 move until one is close upon them ; indeed I found them gene- 

 rally rise up almost under my feet. A ranchero living in the 

 Bandera Hills promised to procure the eggs for me, as they 

 breed near his rancho; but I was unable to go there in the 

 spring to remind him, and of course he never sent them. He 

 described them as being white, and larger than those of the 

 Texan Quail. I never found this species in any other part of 

 Texas, except Bandera county, but I was told that it is abun- 

 dant in the hilly country at the head of the Leoua, and is also 

 found near Laredo. 



Adult male. Upper mandible dark horn-blue, light blue at 

 base; under mandible light blue; iris reddish-brown; legs 

 light milk-blue. 



