MASSENA QUAIL ~ 107 
cal montezume and other species occur in Mexico. One 
found in Guatemala and southern Mexico has the flanks 
chestnut instead of lead-color. 
This bird was described as long ago as 1830, yet 
for many years thereafter little or nothing was known 
about it, and it was only in 1890 that the eggs were 
found and described. 
MEARNS, OR MASSENA QUAIL 
The Massena quail, or, as it is now called, the Mon- 
tezuma quail, is notable for its odd and beautiful col- 
oring and for its extraordinary simplicity and lack of 
suspicion, a quality which is reflected in the name “fool 
quail,” given it in some sections. This title, commonly 
enough applied to certain unsuspicious grouse and 
quail, is an unintentional testimonial by man to his own 
bloodthirstiness, declaring in effect that any bird or ani- 
mal must be a fool that does not know that civilized 
