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. (Zool.) 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.
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   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.
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   2. (Zool.) Any one of several small singing birds somewhat
      resembling the true sparrows in form or habits, as the
      European hedge sparrow. See under Hedge.
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            He that doth the ravens feed,
            Yea, providently caters for the sparrow,
            Be comfort to my age!                 --Shak.
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   Field sparrow, Fox sparrow, etc. See under Field,
      Fox, etc.

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

   Sparrow hawk. (Zool.)
      (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 (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), the female of the reed bunting.
      [Prov. Eng.]
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Chippy \Chip"py\, a.
   Abounding in, or resembling, chips; dry and tasteless.
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Chippy \Chip"py\, n. (Zool.)
   A small American sparrow (Spizella socialis), very common
   near dwelling; -- also called chipping bird and chipping
   sparrow, from its simple note.
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