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fox sparrow

American  

noun

  1. a North American sparrow, Passerella iliaca, having a bright rufous tail and streaked breast.


Etymology

Origin of fox sparrow

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Zink said, for instance, that the spotted owl is three species, and the fox sparrow is four.

From Washington Times Jan. 7, 2017

A multitude of other birds feasted too, during a December snow shower: varied thrush, fox sparrow and more.

From Seattle Times Dec. 28, 2016

Even the finches contribute a mock thrush to our list, the big, spotted-breasted fox sparrow, but he rarely comes in number before mid October or November.

From The Log of the Sun A Chronicle of Nature's Year by Beebe, William

His rump and upper tail coverts are a delicate shade of grayish brown, by which he may be readily distinguished from the fox sparrow, whose rear parts are reddish brown.

From Our Bird Comrades by Keyser, Leander S. (Leander Sylvester)

The fox sparrow, the largest and handsomest species of this family, comes to us in the fall, from the North, where it breeds.

From Wake-Robin by Burroughs, John

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