The first know use of the term gallinaceous was in 1693.  The smallest gallinaceous bird in North Anerica is a quail (weighing 28-40 g) and the largest is the turkey (weighing up to 14 kg). 

32 minutes ago, Bill W said:

The first know use of the term gallinaceous was in 1693.  The smallest gallinaceous bird in North Anerica is a quail (weighing 28-40 g) and the largest is the turkey (weighing up to 14 kg). 

Hi @Bill W, Could you give me the reference for your 1693 date. My searches keep coming up with late 18th Century rather than late 17th Century. The OED for example says: OED's earliest evidence for gallinaceous is from 1783, in the writing of John Latham, naturalist.

I'm thrilled that there are other people on GA who are also interested in words and their meaning and etymology.

28 minutes ago, Paladin said:

Hi @Bill W, Could you give me the reference for your 1693 date. My searches keep coming up with late 18th Century rather than late 17th Century. The OED for example says: OED's earliest evidence for gallinaceous is from 1783, in the writing of John Latham, naturalist.

I'm thrilled that there are other people on GA who are also interested in words and their meaning and etymology.

Paladin, here's what you're looking for:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gallinaceous 

7 minutes ago, drpaladin said:

Merriam Webster cites 1693, but they don't say the source.

The reference I found didn't give a source either. 

Thanks @Bill W and @drpaladin for giving my your source. There seems to be some disagreement between the authorities. Not unusual I suppose.