竹鸡

脊椎

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.] (Zo["o]l.)
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.

Full many a fat partrich had he in mew. --Chaucer.

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.

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

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}).

3. The ruffed grouse ({Bonasa umbellus}). [New Eng.]

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

{Night partridge} (Zo["o]l.), the woodcock. [Local, U.S.]

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

{Snow partridge} (Zo["o]l.), 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["o]l.), any small
Asiatic partridge of the genus {Arboricola}.