Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Ruffed \Ruffed\, a.
   Furnished with a ruff.

   {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}.

Partridge \Par"tridge\, n. [OE. partriche, pertriche, OF.
   pertris, perdriz, F. perdrix, L. perdix, -icis, fr. Gr. ?.]
   (Zo["o]l.)
   1. Any one of numerous species of small gallinaceous birds of
      the genus {Perdix} and several related genera of the
      family {Perdicid[ae]}, of the Old World. The partridge is
      noted as a game bird.

            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}.

Grouse \Grouse\, n. sing. & pl. [Prob. after the analogy of
   mouse, mice, fr. the earlier grice, OF. griesche meor hen:
   cf. F. piegri[`e]che shrike.] (Zo["o]l.)
   Any of the numerous species of gallinaceous birds of the
   family {Tetraonid[ae]}, and subfamily {Tetraonin[ae]},
   inhabiting Europe, Asia, and North America. They have plump
   bodies, strong, well-feathered legs, and usually mottled
   plumage. The group includes the ptarmigans ({Lagopus}),
   having feathered feet.

   Note: Among the European species are the red grouse ({Lagopus
         Scoticus}) and the hazel grouse ({Bonasa betulina}).
         See {Capercaidzie}, {Ptarmigan}, and {Heath grouse}.
         Among the most important American species are the
         ruffed grouse, or New England partridge ({Bonasa
         umbellus}); the sharp-tailed grouse ({Pedioc[ae]tes
         phasianellus}) of the West; the dusky blue, or pine
         grouse ({Dendragapus obscurus}) of the Rocky Mountains;
         the Canada grouse, or spruce partridge ({D.
         Canadensis}). See also {Prairie hen}, and {Sage cock}.
         The Old World sand grouse ({Pterocles}, etc.) belong to
         a very different family. See {Pterocletes}, and {Sand
         grouse}.

Source : WordNet®

Bonasa umbellus
     n : valued as a game bird in eastern United States and Canada
         [syn: {ruffed grouse}, {partridge}]