\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.
Note: The
{common, or English, {pheasant} ({Phasianus Colchicus}) is
   now found over most of temperate Europe, but was
   introduced from Asia. The
{ring-necked pheasant} ({P. torquatus}) and the
{green pheasant} ({P. 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.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The ruffed grouse. [Southern U.S.]
Note: Various other birds are locally called pheasants, as
      the lyre bird, the leipoa, etc.
{Fireback pheasant}. See {Fireback}.
{Gold}, 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.