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.] (Zool.)
   1. Any one of numerous species of small gallinaceous birds of
      the genus {Perdix} and several related genera of the
      family {Perdicidae}, of the Old World. The partridge is
      noted as a game bird.
      
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            Full many a fat partrich had he in mew. --Chaucer.
      
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   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.
         
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   2. Any one of several species of quail-like birds belonging
      to {Colinus}, and allied genera. [U.S.]
      
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   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 Montezumae}); and the California
         partridge ({Callipepla Californica}).
         
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   3. The ruffed grouse ({Bonasa umbellus}). [New Eng.]
      
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   {Bamboo partridge} (Zool.), a spurred partridge of the genus
      {Bambusicola}. Several species are found in China and the
      East Indies.

   {Night partridge} (Zool.), the woodcock. [Local, U.S.]

   {Painted partridge} (Zool.), a francolin of South Africa
      ({Francolinus pictus}).

   {Partridge berry}. (Bot.)
      (a) The scarlet berry of a trailing american plant
          ({Mitchella repens}) of the order {Rubiaceae},
          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} (Zool.) Same as {Mountain witch}, under
      {Mountain}.

   {Partridge pea} (Bot.), a yellow-flowered leguminous herb
      ({Cassia Chamaecrista}), common in sandy fields in the
      Eastern United States.

   {Partridge shell} (Zool.), 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} (Zool.), an Asiatic sand partridge
      ({Ammoperdix Bonhami}); -- so called from its note.

   {Snow partridge} (Zool.), 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} (Zool.), any small
      Asiatic partridge of the genus {Arboricola}.
      
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