cock-sparrow

There goes a cock-sparrow, hopping along with outspread wings; he chirrups, and every note, every ruffled feather on his little body, is breathing with health and strength ....

The Diary of a Superfluous Man and other stories 2006

But if Sir Matthew suggested a very cocksure sort of cock-sparrow, Sir Arthur might more truly have been compared to a crane or stork; as he leaned forward, prodding the poet with questions, his long nose might have been a long beak.

The Complete Father Brown 2003

But if Sir Matthew suggested a very cocksure sort of cock-sparrow, Sir Arthur might more truly have been compared to a crane or stork; as he leaned forward, prodding the poet with questions, his long nose might have been a long beak.

The Complete Father Brown 2003

French provincial town, must have witnessed and laughed at the very comical proceedings of the _chasseurs_, the high-sounding title assumed by every Frenchman who ever pointed a gun at a cock-sparrow.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine — Volume 55, No. 340, February, 1844 Various

He had entered the room of Dr. Pusey, at Christ Church, and saw, as usual, the library table covered with books of divinity and learned tomes; but on the top of these was perched, in pert, cock-sparrow fashion, that shilling railway book that had recently been published, with the spectacled face of the Oxford

The History of "Punch" M. H. Spielmann

"A little cock-sparrow sat upon a tree," which, with variations, lasted till they reached the playground gates, where Louis ran off to find Clifton, that he might enter into proper arrangements for due attendance on his sparrow's wants.

Louis' School Days A Story for Boys

Not being accustomed to see a train going in full cry through the streets, I expected every minute to hear a dying squeak, as some of the little urchins came out, jumping and playing close to the cars; but they seem to be protected by a kind of instinct; and I believe it would be as easy to drive a train over a cock-sparrow as over a Yankee boy.

Lands of the Slave and the Free Cuba, the United States, and Canada Henry A. Murray

Why is it an insult to a cock-sparrow to mistake him for a pheasant?

Entertainments for Home, Church and School Frederica Seeger

Says the little cock-sparrow, I'll be shot if I stay,

Aunt Kitty's Stories Various

To her annoyance, her pencil drew a little round figure on the blotting-paper, which, she could not deny, was really a bald-headed cock-sparrow.

Night and Day 1920