from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. The prairie-hen.
Sorry, no etymologies found.
They are identical with the prairie-fowl, so common at the West, and are said to be delicious eating.
Turkeys, too, were calling in the timber, and the boom of the prairie-fowl, at rise and set of sun, was heard on every side.
He was rather a nuisance than otherwise when stalking prairie-fowl, but he was an affectionate beast, and I felt glad of his company.
The shooting of prairie-fowl still continued almost daily, and our table was always well supplied with delicious game.
It was a picture to see him with the undercut of a haunch of deer or buffalo, or with a whole prairie-fowl on his plate, his eyes measuring it shrewdly, his coat and waistcoat open, and a clear space about him -- for he needed room to stretch his mighty limbs, and his necessity was recognised by all.
Sage-fowl and prairie-fowl, ducks of all sorts, swans, and wild cranes were plentiful, while huge, flapping geese nested in the tops of the cottonwood-trees.
"Seth is right," said Mr Rawlings; "you will have a varied choice there likewise: grouse, partridge, prairie-fowl, wild geese, ducks -- these two, however, are more to be met with in the winter months, and will be off to the Arctic regions soon -- all sorts, in fact.