Sparrow

Rendering given in the English versions (Ps. lxxxiv. 4 [A. V. 3], cii. 8 [A. V. 7]) for the word "ẓippor," which denotes birds in general, but is used especially of small passerine birds. Four species of sparrow are very numerous in Palestine. Tristram identifies the sparrow of Ps. cii. 8 with the Monticola cyanus, or blue thrush, from its habit of sitting solitary or in pairs on projecting ledges or on some other conspicuous perch. In the Talmud "ẓippor" is a generic name, always designating a clean bird (comp. Ḥul. 139b).

Bibliography:

  * Tristram, Nat. Hist. p. 200;
  * Lewysohn, Zoologie des Talmuds, p. 187.



E. G. H. I. M. C.