A bird resembling a grouse.
1805. Killed nothing but five prairie hens, which afforded us this day’s subsistence: this bird I took to be the same as grouse.—Z. M. Pike, ‘Sources of the Mississippi’ (1810), p. 44. (N.E.D.)
1805. The grouse, or prairre (sic) hen, are in plenty.—Mass. Spy, July 17.
1812. In winter it [the prairie hen] is found in large flocks, comes into barn-yards, and frequently alights on the houses of the villagers.—H. M. Brackenridge, ‘Views of Louisiana,’ p. 59 (1814).
1817. We shot a prairie hen, and prepared to breakfast.—John Bradbury, ‘Travels,’ p. 60.
1819. Wild game here is immense; besides the deer, the country swarms with wild turkey and prairie hens.—B. Harding, ‘Tour through the Western Country,’ p. 8 (New London, Conn.).
1826. There is a great abundance and variety of wild fowl, and turkeys, prairie hens, and partridges, and in their season, wild geese and ducks.—T. Flint, ‘Recollections,’ p. 248.
1839. The prairie hen is no less distinguished a bird than the pinnated grouse. They become excessively fat, do not fly far or fast, and are easily bagged.—John Plumbe, ‘Sketches of Iowa, &c.,’ p. 55 (St. Louis).
