7° GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
side, sometimes merely standing perfectly still and re- 
garding the intruder with a glance that may mean inquiry 
or curiosity. It does not run like Gambel’s and other 
plumed Partridges, but if wishing to escape, and this 
resolution is not often taken without considerable delib- 
eration, a covey will rise with a whir and fly very rapidly 
in a direct line; usually the birds uttering a clucking 
note as they speed along. As a rule, they do not fly 
very far, but scatter and remain in the place where they 
alight, and can then be flushed singly. In this respect 
their habits are far superior from a sportsman’s point of 
view to those of the other Partridges that dwell in the 
same countries. From its gentle disposition and apparent 
unwillingness to move, frequently when almost trodden 
upon, this bird has gained the sobriquet of “ Fool Quail,” 
and it has often been killed with a stick in the hands of 
its pursuer. It may be that it is more numerous in 
a locality than indications would warrant the supposition, 
for, on account of its habit of crouching or remaining 
motionless, a covey could easily escape unnoticed in the 
grass, although the passer-by was but a very short dis- 
tance away. 
The Massena Partridge is fond of dusting itself in the 
roads if there are any, or in sandy places, and when so 
occupied does not resort to cover until closely ap- 
proached. In summer they ascend high upon the moun- 
tains, coming down, when snow begins to fall, to low 
altitudes, and occasionally the birds breed at as lofty 
an elevation as 7000 feet. Although I have never seen 
the two species actually together, yet I have known 
the Massena and Gambel’s Partridge to occupy the same 
district in winter, and it is not an unusual thing in New 
Mexico to obtain both species in one afternoon by the 
same gun. The reason that the Fool Quail is so con- 
