Centropus phasianus
(gcide) | Pheasant \Pheas"ant\ (f[e^]z"ant), n. [OE. fesant, fesaunt, OF.
faisant, faisan, F. faisan, L. phasianus, Gr. fasiano`s (sc.
'o`rnis) the Phasian bird, pheasant, fr. Fa`sis a river in
Colchis or Pontus.]
1. (Zool.) 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.
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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.
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2. (Zool.) The ruffed grouse. [Southern U.S.]
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Note: Various other birds are locally called pheasants, as
the lyre bird, the leipoa, etc.
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Fireback pheasant. See Fireback.
Gold pheasant, or Golden pheasant (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), the ruffed grouse. [Local, U.S.]
Pheasant coucal (Zool.), 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. (Zool.)
(a) The pintail.
(b) The hooded merganser.
Pheasant parrot (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), the pintail.
Water pheasant. (Zool.)
(a) The sheldrake.
(b) The hooded merganser.
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