MEARNS QUAIL OR MASSENA PARTRIDGE. 
296. Cyrtonyx monlezumce mearnsi. 9 inches. 
These strange birds are very local in their distribution in 
the southwest, rare in some localities and quite abundant 
others They are so confiding in their disposition, that this, 
in connection with their clownish plumage, has given them 
the name of “Fool Quail.’ 7 The bill is very stout and com- 
prised™ crest large, puffy and flat. They frequent dry deserts, 
valleys or mountains to quite a high altitude. The gg, 
which are pure white, are not distinguishable with certainty 
from the Bob-white, possibly average a little longer (1.25 x.90). 
DUSKY GROUSE—Family Tetraonidae. 
297. Dendragapus obscurus. 20 inches. 
Plumage gray, white and black; darkest on the back am 
tail which is margined with a light gray, female smaller, 
browner and more barred above. Like the Ruffed Grouse, 
during the mating season, the males of this species strut wi i 
tail fully spread over the back, and head thrown back nit 
it nearly touches the tail. , 
Nest.— -They build their nests under fallen trees or at the 
base of standing ones. They lay from six to ten eggs of a 
buff color, spotted and blotched with shades ot brown 
(2.00 x 1.40). 
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