finches

finches
Sparrow Spar"row, n. [OE. sparwe, AS. spearwa; akin to OHG. sparo, G. sperling, Icel. sp["o]rr, Dan. spurv, spurre, Sw. sparf, Goth. sparwa; -- originally, probably, the quiverer or flutterer, and akin to E. spurn. See {Spurn}, and cf. {Spavin}.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) One of many species of small singing birds of the family {Fringillig[ae]}, 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}. [1913 Webster]

Note: 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. [1913 Webster]

2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several small singing birds somewhat resembling the true sparrows in form or habits, as the European hedge sparrow. See under {Hedge}. [1913 Webster]

He that doth the ravens feed, Yea, providently caters for the sparrow, Be comfort to my age! --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{Field sparrow}, {Fox sparrow}, etc. See under {Field}, {Fox}, etc.

{Sparrow bill}, a small nail; a castiron shoe nail; a sparable.

{Sparrow hawk}. (Zo["o]l.) (a) A small European hawk ({Accipiter nisus}) or any of the allied species. (b) A small American falcon ({Falco sparverius}). (c) The Australian collared sparrow hawk ({Accipiter torquatus}).

Note: The name is applied to other small hawks, as the European kestrel and the New Zealand quail hawk.

{Sparrow owl} (Zo["o]l.), a small owl ({Glaucidium passerinum}) found both in the Old World and the New. The name is also applied to other species of small owls.

{Sparrow spear} (Zo["o]l.), the female of the reed bunting. [Prov. Eng.] [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Finches — Finch Finch (f[i^]nch), n.; pl. {Finches} (f[i^]nch [e^]z). [AS. finc; akin to D. vink, OHG. fincho, G. fink; cf. W. pinc a finch; also E. spink.] (Zo[ o]l.) A small singing bird of many genera and species, belonging to the family… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • finches — kikiliniai statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Fringillidae angl. finches vok. Edelfinken; Eigentliche Finken; Finken rus. вьюрковые; настоящие вьюрковые pranc. fringillidés; pinsons ryšiai: platesnis terminas – tikrieji… …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • finches — fɪntʃ n. any of a number of small seed eating songbirds …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Darwin's finches — Large Ground Finch, Medium Ground Finch Small Tree Finch, Warbler Finch Scientific classification Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • British finches — Goldfinches were once caught in thousands to be kept as cage birds The British finches are made up of several species of Finch which were formerly very popular as cage birds in Great Britain. Nowadays they are not commonplace, but are still kept… …   Wikipedia

  • The Finches — Infobox musical artist Name = The Finches Img capt = Img size = Landscape = Background = group or band Alias = Origin = flagicon|USA San Francisco, California, U.S. Genre = Folk pop Years active = Label = Ulrike Dulc I Tone Associated acts = URL …   Wikipedia

  • bull-finches — ● bull finch, bull finches ou bull finchs nom masculin (anglais bullfinch, de bull, taureau, et fence, haie) Obstacle formé d un talus de terre couronné d une haie, que les chevaux doivent franchir sur certains hippodromes. ● bull finch, bull… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • darwin's finches — ¦därwə̇nz noun plural Usage: usually capitalized D Etymology: after Charles Darwin died 1882 English naturalist : finches (as the ground finches) of a subfamily (Geospizinae) characterized by great variation in bill shape and confined mostly to… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Darwin's finches — noun plural Etymology: Charles Darwin Date: 1947 finches of a subfamily (Geospizinae) having great variation in bill shape and confined mostly to the Galápagos Islands …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Darwin's finches — a group of Galapagos Island finches, observed by Charles Darwin, that provide striking evidence of speciation. [1945 50] * * * …   Universalium

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