THE MASSENA PARTRIDGE, St 



edly breeds, and I have often looked for their nests unsuccessfully. In the 

 spring and siunmer they are usually found in pairs; the balance of the 

 year they range all through the White JMountain region of Arizona above an 

 altitude of 4,000 feet, in coveys, but these are never numerous, and usually 

 small in size. Tliey are probably more subject to the attacks of predatory ani- 

 mals than any other species, owing to their confiding disposition, which has 

 given them the name of 'Fool' Quail. I once stopped my horse, when al)out 

 to step on one, and watched it for some time without creating alarm. After 

 admiring it for several moments, squatting close to the ground within a j-ard 

 of the horse, and watching me intently, but apparently without fear, I dis- 

 mounted, and almost caught it with my hat, from under which it fluttered 

 away. The flight, which is remarkably rapid, is accompanied by a peculiar 

 clucking." 



According to Mr. John Swinburne, of St. John's, Apache County, Ari- 

 zona, t,he favorite localities frecpiented by this species during the breeding 

 season are thick live-oak scrub and patches of rank grass, at an altitude of 

 from 7,000 to 9,000 feet, lie says: "Here they are .summer residents only, 

 descending to much lower altitudes in winter. They lie very close at "all 

 times, allowing one to almost step on them befoVe they move. I have seen this 

 .species on the White Mountains during the breeding season, and saw young 

 birds of the year shot there. Even the adults seem very stupid when sud- 

 denly flushed, and after flying- a short distance, alight and attempt to hide 

 in most conspicuous places. I have seen men follow and kill them by throw- 

 ing stones." 



Mr. E. W. Nelson writes me as follows: "In September, 1882, I found this 

 bird ratlier common near Chloride, and Fairview, New Mexico. Old birds with 

 half-grown young were found late in tlie afternoon each day in the roads lead- 

 ing down tlie bottoms of open brush-bordered canons that extend down the 

 flanks and foothills of tlie Black Range in this vicinity. A small stream was 

 usually found in these, which disappeared in the sand a mih^ or two below on 

 reaching the open barren country. 



"The Massena Partridges were commonly found dusting themselves in the 

 roads, and usually stood and watched our approach until we wei-e within a few 

 yards, and then flew into the bordering thicket and laid veiy close. When a 

 covey \\'as surprised among the grass they arose at our feet and scattered in 

 every direction, but nevea* went very tar, and while fl)ing ofl" they would utter 

 low notes of alarm, sounding like 'chuk-chuk-chuk.' I also found them not 

 uncommon in the Santa Rita M(nmtaius of southern Arizona in July, 1884. 

 Here they occupied the live-oak belt below the lower limit of the pines. On 

 the northeastern slopes of the White Mountains, near Si)ringerville, Arizona, 

 a pair has raised a brood during several successive seasons at the lower 

 edge of the pine forest, at an altitude of about 7,600 feet. After th(^ young 

 are hatched they are often led up among the pines to an altitude of between 

 8,000 and i),00() feet, where I have seen them. 



