sparrow
1. (Science: ornithology) One of many species of small singing birds of the family Fringilligae, having conical bills, and feeding chiefly on seeds. Many sparrows are called also finches, and buntings. The common sparrow, or house sparrow, of Europe (Passer domesticus) is noted for its familiarity, its voracity, its attachment to its young, and its fecundity. See House sparrow, under House.
The following American species are well known; the chipping sparrow, or chippy, the sage sparrow, the savanna sparrow, the song sparrow, the tree sparrow, and the white-throated sparrow (see peabody bird). See these terms under Sage, Savanna, etc.
2. (Science: zoology) Any one of several small singing birds somewhat resembling the true sparrows in form or habits, as the European hedge sparrow. See Hedge. He that doth the ravens feed, yea, providently caters for the sparrow, be comfort to my age! (Shak) field sparrow, fox sparrow, etc. See Field, Fox, etc. Sparrow bill, a small nail; a castiron shoe nail; a sparable. Sparrow hawk.
(Science: zoology) The female of the reed bunting.
Origin: OE. Sparwe, AS. Spearwa; akin to OHG. Sparo, G. Sperling, Icel. Sporr, Dan. Spurv, spurre, Sw. Sparf, Goth. Sparwa; originally, probably, the quiverer or flutterer, and akin to E. Spurn. See Spurn, and cf. Spavin.
Dictionary > Sparrow
You will also like...
Plant Tissues
Plant organs are comprised of tissues working together for a common function. The different types of plant tissues are m..
The Conscious & Unconscious Nervous System
This tutorial elaborates on how the nervous system works, particularly at the tissue level of the brain. There are three..
Biological Cell Introduction
It only takes one biological cell to create an organism. A single cell is able to keep itself functional through its 'mi..
Examples of Natural Selection
Darwin's Finches are an example of natural selection in action. They are an excellent example of the way species' gene p..
Mendel’s Law & Mendelian Genetics
One of Mendel’s law of inheritance is the “law of dominance”. Read this tutorial to know more about this form of i..
Inheritance and Probability
Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk, is most famous in this field for his study of the phenotype of pea plants, including ..