Definitions for: Pheasant


[n] large long-tailed gallinaceous bird native to the Old World but introduced elsewhere
[n] (game bird) flesh of a pheasant; usually braised



Webster (1913) Definition: Pheas"ant, n. [OE. fesant, fesaunt, OF. faisant,
faisan, F. faisan, L. phasianus, Gr. ? (sc. ?) the Phasian
bird, pheasant, fr. ? a river in Colchis or Pontus.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) 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.



Note: The

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

ring-necked pheasant (P. torquatus) and the

green pheasant (P. 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.

2. (Zo["o]l.) The ruffed grouse. [Southern U.S.]

Note: Various other birds are locally called pheasants, as
the lyre bird, the leipoa, etc.

Fireback pheasant. See Fireback.

Gold, or Golden, pheasant (Zo["o]l.), 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 (Zo["o]l.), the ruffed grouse. [Local,
U.S.]

Pheasant coucal (Zo["o]l.), 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. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The pintail.
(b) The hooded merganser.

Pheasant parrot (Zo["o]l.), 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 (Zo["o]l.), 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 (Zo["o]l.), the pintail.

Water pheasant. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The sheldrake.
(b) The hooded merganser.

See Also: afropavo, Afropavo congensis, argus, argus pheasant, bird of Juno, Chrysolophus pictus, Congo peafowl, genus Phasianus, golden pheasant, monal, monaul, peafowl, phasianid, Phasianus, Phasianus colchicus, Phasianus colchicus, ring-necked pheasant, ring-necked pheasant, tragopan, wildfowl

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