Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Water pheasant \Wa"ter pheas"ant\ (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The pintail. See {Pintail}, n., 1.
   (b) The goosander.
   (c) The hooded merganser.



   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.