partridge

Full many a fat partrich had he in mew. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]

2. Any one of several species of quail-like birds belonging to {Colinus}, and allied genera. [U.S.]
[1913 Webster]

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}).
[1913 Webster]

3. The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus). Eng. [1913 Webster]

Bamboo partridge (Zo"ol.), a spurred partridge of the genus {Bambusicola}. Several species are found in China
and the East Indies.

Night partridge (Zo"ol.), the woodcock. U.S.

Painted partridge (Zo"ol.), 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 (Zo"ol.) 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 (Zo"ol.), 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 (Zo"ol.), an Asiatic sand partridge ({Ammoperdix Bonhami}); -- so called from its note.

Snow partridge (Zo"ol.), 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 (Zo"ol.), any small Asiatic partridge of the genus {Arboricola}.
[1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English