Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

MEARNS QUAIL OR MASSENA PARTRIDGE.

296. Cyrtonyx montezumæ mearnsi. 9 inches.

These strange birds are very local in their distribution in the southwest, rare in some localities and quite abundant in others. They are so confiding in their disposition, that this, in connection with their clownish plumage, has given them the name of “Fool Quail.” The bill is very stout and compressed; crest large, puffy and flat. They frequent dry deserts, valleys or mountains to quite a high altitude. Their eggs, which are pure white, are not distinguishable with certainty from the [Bob-white], possibly average a little longer (1.25 × .90).