210 AMEKICAF GAME BIRD SHOOTING. 



without water, as Doctor Heermann remarks that the 

 few he met were found on the most sterile and arid por- 

 tions of his route. 



In Southern Arizona they are likely to be met with in 

 chaparral, and among the mesquite bushes and larrea; 

 but in Northern Sonora, though exhibiting a preference 

 for the same vegetation, their haunts are the more eleva- 

 ted tablelands. 



The Massena quail {Cyrtonyx masse7ia), which is the 

 gentlest and most unsuspicious member of its family, is 

 about the size of the Bob White. The male has a beauti- 

 ful crest; his head is curiously striped with black and 

 white; the upper parts of the body are touched with 

 tawny, black, and white; and black spots are scattered 

 over the wings. The under parts are black, purplish- 

 chestnut along the middle line, and dotted with numer- 

 ous circular spots. The tail is short, and the claws are 

 exceedingly large. This species has the same habits as 

 its kindred, except that it is so unsophisticated as to 

 show no fear of man, and to allow him to approach to 

 within a few feet ere it thinks of moving away. 



The migratory quail {Cofurnix vulgaris) having been 

 introduced into the country recently, is now found in 

 various sections far apart. The best way for letting col- 

 onies of these birds loose, after their . arrival from Eu- 

 rope, is to release them near water and where the fields 

 are open. The box in which they are confined should 

 have a door cut in one end of it, so arranged that it can 

 be pulled open by a long string attached to it. The box 

 containing the birds ought to be carefully carried to the 

 place of release, put upon the ground, and some seed scat- 

 tered in front of the door. The man should then re- 

 tire, unwinding his string as he goes, to a distance of 

 at least fifty yards, and get out of sight behind shrub- 

 bery, or by lying fiat on the ground. The birds should 

 be given a few minutes to recover from their fright. 



