In 1832 this bird was described under the name _Tetrao guttata_, by Don Pablo de la Llave, in _Registro trimestre ó coleccion de Memorias de Historia, Literatura, Ciencasóy Artes_, Vol. I. p. 145, Mexico, 1832, which periodical, though little known, and discontinued, we believe, before the completion of the second volume, contains several valuable papers by this and other Mexican authors, relative to the natural history of their country. The ornithological papers by Sr. De la Llave, evince much ability, and contain very accurate observations and descriptions; and a tone pervades them too, which proclaims him to be a true lover of nature. That in which we are interested at present, is entitled, “Sobre tres especias neuvas del genero _Tetrao_,” and consists of notices of birds of this genus, of which he had living specimens at his residence in the city of Mexico, and descriptions of three species, viz.: _Tetrao marmorata_ (which is _Ortyx macroura_, Jardine and Selby), _T. cristata_, (which is _O. squamata_, Vigors.) and _T. guttata_, (which is _O. Massena_, Lesson.) To the last bird he thus alludes: “It is only a few days since the third species has been brought to me. It is rather smaller than the former, and its deportment is entirely different. It carries its head habitually resting upon its shoulders, the neck being excessively _small_ and deflexed, and in every thing it shows an amiability, and so to speak, a kindness of character (_una bondad de caracter_) which is not found in any other species of this genus, and it is naturally so tame and domestic as to permit itself to be caught with the hand. These birds are always united, forming a covey, and whenever one is separated, the others follow it; they do not, like others, wish to sleep on elevated places, but sit on the ground, drawing very near together. Their notes, which are not varied, are very low and soft, and I have never heard loud cries from the male. When they are frightened, they show much activity and swiftness; at other times their gait and movement are habitually slow and deliberate, carrying the crest puffed up (_esponjada_).” Sr. De la Llave gives as the locality of his specimens, the warm regions near the city of Mexico. These statements comprise all that is known at present of the Massena Partridge. The contents of the crop in Capt. French’s specimen consisted exclusively of fragments of insects, pronounced by Dr. Leconte to be principally grasshoppers, and a species of _Spectrum_. No trace whatever of food of a vegetable character. DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. Genus Cyrtonyx. Gould, Monograph of the Odontophorinæ (American Partridges) Introduction, p. 14, London, 1850. Folio.