{Ruffed grouse} (Zo["o]l.), a North American grouse ({Bonasa
umbellus}) common in the wooded districts of the Northern
United States. The male has a ruff of brown or black
feathers on each side of the neck, and is noted for the
loud drumming sound he makes during the breeding season.
Called also {tippet grouse}, {partridge}, {birch
partridge}, {pheasant}, {drummer}, and {white-flesher}.
{ruffed lemur} (Zo["o]l.), a species of lemur ({lemur
varius}) having a conspicuous ruff on the sides of the
head. Its color is varied with black and white. Called
also {ruffed maucaco}.
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.
{Spruce partridge}. See under {Spruce}.
{Wood partridge}, or {Hill partridge} (Zo["o]l.), any small
Asiatic partridge of the genus {Arboricola}.