\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}.

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.

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}.

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

{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.]