grass finch

American  

Or grassfinch

noun

1. any of several Australian weaverbirds, especially of the genus Poephila.

2. the vesper sparrow.

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Etymology

Origin of grass finch

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

I believe the bird was called the grass finch by our earlier writers.

From Project Gutenberg

How welcome, too, were the hearty music of the robin and the carol of the grass finch!

From Project Gutenberg

The grass finches, the vireos, the wrens, and the linnets have joined their voices to the chorus, and the bobolinks are loudest in their song.

From Project Gutenberg

What was especially interesting was that the lark had "singled out with affection" one of our native birds, and the one that most resembled its kind, namely, the vesper sparrow, or grass finch.

From Project Gutenberg

In one of the stumpy fields I saw an old favorite in the grass finch or vesper swallow.

From Project Gutenberg