common pheasant

Pheasant 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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

2. (Zo["o]l.) The ruffed grouse. [Southern U.S.] [1913 Webster]

Note: Various other birds are locally called pheasants, as the lyre bird, the leipoa, etc. [1913 Webster]

{Fireback pheasant}. See {Fireback}.

{Gold pheasant}, 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. [1913 Webster]