[a. Fr. francolin, ad. It. francolino.] A bird of the genus Francolinus (sub-family Perdicinæ or Partridges), somewhat resembling a pheasant. Also francolin partridge.
[1594. Carew, Huarte’s Exam. Wits, 304. Partridges and Francolini haue a like substance.]
1653. Urquhart, Rabelais, I. xxxvii. Plovers, francolins, briganders.
1696. trans. Du Mont’s Voy. Levant, 68. Cooks usually stick one of the Feathers of the Wings into the Body of a Francolin, that it may not be taken for a Red Partridge.
1808. A. Parsons, Trav., i. 4. Hares are plenty in the same months, and the francolin (heathcock) from October to June and July.
1872. Baker, Nile Tribut., xiii. 226–7. The banks of this beautiful river were generally thickly clothed with bright green nabbuk trees, that formed a shelter for innumerable guinea-fowl, and the black francolin partridge.
1880. P. Gillmore, On Duty, 380. That splendid bird here denominated a pheasant (but properly speaking a francolin) ran along the path in front of me in such numerous quantities.
