Partridge \Par"tridge\ (p[aum]r"tr[i^]j), n. [OE. partriche,
   pertriche, OF. pertris, perdriz, F. perdrix, L. perdix,
   -icis, fr. Gr. pe`rdix.] (Zool.)
   1. Any one of numerous species of small gallinaceous birds of
      the genus Perdix and several related genera of the
      family Perdicid[ae], of the Old World. The partridge is
      noted as a game bird.
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            Full many a fat partrich had he in mew. --Chaucer.
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   Note: The common European, or gray, partridge (Perdix
         cinerea) and the red-legged partridge (Caccabis
         rubra) of Southern Europe and Asia are well-known
         species.
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   2. Any one of several species of quail-like birds belonging
      to Colinus, and allied genera. [U.S.]
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   Note: Among them are the bobwhite (Colinus Virginianus) of
         the Eastern States; the plumed, or mountain, partridge
         (Oreortyx pictus) of California; the Massena
         partridge (Cyrtonyx Montezum[ae]); and the California
         partridge (Callipepla Californica).
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   3. The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus). [New Eng.]
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   Bamboo partridge (Zool.), a spurred partridge of the genus
      Bambusicola. Several species are found in China and the
      East Indies.

   Night partridge (Zool.), the woodcock. [Local, U.S.]

   Painted partridge (Zool.), a francolin of South Africa
      (Francolinus pictus).

   Partridge berry. (Bot.)
      (a) The scarlet berry of a trailing american plant
          (Mitchella repens) of the order Rubiace[ae],
          having roundish evergreen leaves, and white fragrant
          flowers sometimes tinged with purple, growing in pairs
          with the ovaries united, and producing the berries
          which remain over winter; also, the plant itself.
      (b) The fruit of the creeping wintergreen (Gaultheria
          procumbens); also, the plant itself.

   Partridge dove (Zool.) Same as Mountain witch, under
      Mountain.

   Partridge pea (Bot.), a yellow-flowered leguminous herb
      (Cassia Cham[ae]crista), common in sandy fields in the
      Eastern United States.

   Partridge shell (Zool.), a large marine univalve shell
      (Dolium perdix), having colors variegated like those of
      the partridge.

   Partridge wood
      (a) A variegated wood, much esteemed for cabinetwork. It
          is obtained from tropical America, and one source of
          it is said to be the leguminous tree Andira inermis.
          Called also pheasant wood.
      (b) A name sometimes given to the dark-colored and
          striated wood of some kind of palm, which is used for
          walking sticks and umbrella handles.

   Sea partridge (Zool.), an Asiatic sand partridge
      (Ammoperdix Bonhami); -- so called from its note.

   Snow partridge (Zool.), a large spurred partridge (Lerwa
      nivicola) which inhabits the high mountains of Asia;
      called also jermoonal.

   Spruce partridge. See under Spruce.

   Wood partridge, or Hill partridge (Zool.), any small
      Asiatic partridge of the genus Arboricola.
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Pheasant \Pheas"ant\ (f[e^]z"ant), n. [OE. fesant, fesaunt, OF.
   faisant, faisan, F. faisan, L. phasianus, Gr. fasiano`s (sc.
   'o`rnis) the Phasian bird, pheasant, fr. Fa`sis a river in
   Colchis or Pontus.]
   1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of large gallinaceous
      birds of the genus Phasianus, and many other genera of
      the family Phasianid[ae], found chiefly in Asia.
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   Note: The

   common pheasant, or English pheasant (Phasianus
      Colchicus) is now found over most of temperate Europe,
      but was introduced from Asia. The

   ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus torquatus) and the

   green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor) have been
      introduced into Oregon. The

   golden pheasant (Thaumalea picta) is one of the most
      beautiful species. The

   silver pheasant (Euplocamus nychthemerus) of China, and
      several related species from Southern Asia, are very
      beautiful.
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   2. (Zool.) The ruffed grouse. [Southern U.S.]
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   Note: Various other birds are locally called pheasants, as
         the lyre bird, the leipoa, etc.
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   Fireback pheasant. See Fireback.

   Gold pheasant, or Golden pheasant (Zool.), a Chinese
      pheasant (Thaumalea picta), having rich, varied colors.
      The crest is amber-colored, the rump is golden yellow, and
      the under parts are scarlet.

   Mountain pheasant (Zool.), the ruffed grouse. [Local, U.S.]
      

   Pheasant coucal (Zool.), a large Australian cuckoo
      (Centropus phasianus). The general color is black, with
      chestnut wings and brown tail. Called also pheasant
      cuckoo. The name is also applied to other allied species.
      

   Pheasant duck. (Zool.)
      (a) The pintail.
      (b) The hooded merganser.

   Pheasant parrot (Zool.), a large and beautiful Australian
      parrakeet (Platycercus Adelaidensis). The male has the
      back black, the feathers margined with yellowish blue and
      scarlet, the quills deep blue, the wing coverts and cheeks
      light blue, the crown, sides of the neck, breast, and
      middle of the belly scarlet.

   Pheasant's eye. (Bot.)
      (a) A red-flowered herb (Adonis autumnalis) of the
          Crowfoot family; -- called also pheasant's-eye
          Adonis.
      (b) The garden pink (Dianthus plumarius); -- called also
          Pheasant's-eye pink.

   Pheasant shell (Zool.), any marine univalve shell of the
      genus Phasianella, of which numerous species are found
      in tropical seas. The shell is smooth and usually richly
      colored, the colors often forming blotches like those of a
      pheasant.

   Pheasant wood. (Bot.) Same as Partridge wood
      (a), under Partridge.

   Sea pheasant (Zool.), the pintail.

   Water pheasant. (Zool.)
      (a) The sheldrake.
      (b) The hooded merganser.
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