noun
francolin
Refers to birds of the genus Francolinus, which resemble partridges. In modern Japanese, this is the primary meaning.
アフリカには多くの種類のシャコが生息している。
Many species of francolin inhabit Africa.
noun
partridge (genus Perdix)
Archaic usage; formerly used for partridges of the genus Perdix. In modern Japanese, 山鶉 (やまうずら) is the usual term.
See also: 山鶉
古い文献では、シャコがヨーロッパのヤマウズラを指すことがある。
In old texts, シャコ sometimes refers to the European grey partridge.
Modern standard term for partridge (genus Perdix). シャコ in the archaic sense is now replaced by this word.
The kanji 鷓鴣 are Chinese-derived characters for francolin/partridge. The reading しゃこ is the Sino-Japanese on'yomi. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.