70 



GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA, 



side, sometimes merely standini^ perfectly still and rt- 

 parding the intruder with a jijlance that may mean incjuiry 

 or curiosity. It does not run like Gambel's and otlier 

 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 cluckinp; 

 note as they speed along. As a rule, they do not Hy 

 very far, but scatter and remain in the place where tluy 

 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 sobricptet 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 remaininj:: 

 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- 



