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prairie hen†
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
1
a grouse, Tympanuchus cupido americanus, common on the southern prairies.
See: prairie chicken(def. 1)
Quotations
1823
This species is an inhabitant of woody countries only, in which it differs from the Pinnated grouse of America, better known to the Sportsmen of the New World under the appellation of the Prairie hen and Heath hen.
1909
A prairie hen rustled by with a shrill cluck.
1959
Common Prairie Chicken [is also called] prairie chicken (General; often shortened to "chicken"); prairie hen (General); square tail . . . square-tailed grouse (Man.).
2
a species of grouse, Pedicetes phasianellus, found in the West and North.
See: sharp-tailed grouse
Quotations
1853
Basil had already arrived with a fine prairie hen (Tetrao cupido) which he had shot. . . .
1959
Sharp-tailed Grouse [is also called] pintail grouse . . . prairie chicken (Sometimes "chicken" alone. Ont., Man., Sask., Alta., B.C.); prairie hen (Sask.); sharptail (Man.); willow grouse (Y.T.).
3Figurative use.
Quotations
1922
I'm merely a submerged prairie-hen with the best part of her life behind her.