Pār'tridge, n.

noun

[O. Eng. partrich, O. Fr. pertris, N. Fr. perdrix, Pr. perditz, Sp. & Pg. perdiz, It. perdice, pernice, Lat. perdix, perdicis, Gr. πέρδιξ.] (Ornith.) A grouse-like bird (Perdix cinerea), having the feet bare. It is of a gray color, mottled with brown. It is found in Europe, Siberia, and North Africa.

☞ No bird of this genus is found in America, but the name is applied to the American quail (Ortyx Virginianus) and the ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus).

An engraving of a partridge standing among grasses. — Common American Partridge (*Ortyx Virginianus*).