pheasant

pheasant
    n 1: large long-tailed gallinaceous bird native to the Old World
         but introduced elsewhere
    2: flesh of a pheasant; usually braised
    

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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Ruffed \Ruffed\, a.
   Furnished with a ruff.
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   {Ruffed grouse} (Zool.), a North American grouse ({Bonasa
      umbellus}) common in the wooded districts of the Northern
      United States. The male has a ruff of brown or black
      feathers on each side of the neck, and is noted for the
      loud drumming sound he makes during the breeding season.
      Called also {tippet grouse}, {partridge}, {birch
      partridge}, {pheasant}, {drummer}, and {white-flesher}.

   {ruffed lemur} (Zool.), a species of lemur ({lemur varius})
      having a conspicuous ruff on the sides of the head. Its
      color is varied with black and white. Called also {ruffed
      maucaco}.
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