THE MASSENA PARTRIDGE, 3t 



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

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

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

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

 small in size. They 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 about 

 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 yard 

 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, the favorite localities fretj^uented 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. He 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 before they move. I have seen this 

 species on the White Mountains du.ring 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." 



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

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

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

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

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

 usually found in these, which disappeared in the sand a mile 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 oiir approach until Ave were within a few 

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

 covey was surprised among the grass they arose at our feet and scattered in 

 every direction, but never went very far, and while flying off they would utter 

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

 uncommon in the Santa Rita Mountains 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 Springerville, Arizona, 

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

 edge of the pine forest, at an altitude of about 7,500 feet. After the young 

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

 8,000 and 9,000 feet, where I have seen them. 



