House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

After sitting counting and recording for the RSPB's big garden birdwatch for an hour today, I got the impetus to start something I've been meaning to do for some time; painting birds. What I'd like to do is look afresh at some of our more familiar, common birds - the ones we take for granted.
I'm interested in any folklore that might be associated with them, and if I learn something about them along the way, all the better.
The house sparrow is in decline, and has been for some time. We don't really know why, but the smart money seems to be on effective herbicides killing weeds. No weeds, no seeds. It also appears that with changing agricultural habits, there is less acreage left with stubble, further reducing available food supplies. Shame.
In folklore, the sparrow plays different roles, depending where you are. Apparently if one flies into your house in the Europe, it's an omen that someone will soon die. In Indonesia, it means that there will soon be a wedding.
They are a symbol of Christianity - an offering given by those with very little to give. They are soul catchers to both ancient Egyptians, and to mariners, who used to tattoo themselves with a sparrow, to ensure their soul's safe pass should they perish at sea. Shakespeare and Chaucer both made reference to their lustfulness.
Dreaming of sparrows represents your feelings of being loved and comforted.

I'll have another look tomorrow, when it's dried off a little.

Painting the sparrow was trickier than I thought it would be. 

Hmmm. Every endeavour leads to either success or learning. 

Chalk this one up to learning.

That's as much as I'm doing. Finished.

Passer Domesticus