210 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING. 
without water, as Docter 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 massena), 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 (Coturnix 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 flat on the ground. The birds should 
be given a few minutes to recover from their fright. 
