Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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}.

   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.]

Source : WordNet®

Falco sparverius
     n : small North American falcon [syn: {sparrow hawk}, {American
         kestrel}, {kestrel}]