The saxaul sparrow (Passer ammodendri) is a passerine bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in parts of Central Asia. At 14–16 cm (5.5–6.3 in) and 25–32 g (0.88–1.13 oz), it is among the larger sparrows. Both sexes have plumage ranging from dull grey to sandy brown, and pale brown legs. The female has a less boldly coloured plumage and bill, lacking the pattern of black stripes on the male's head. The head markings of both sexes make the saxaul sparrow distinctive, and unlikely to be confused with any other bird. Vocalisations include a comparatively soft and musical chirping call, a song, and a flight call. Its distribution falls into six probably disjunct areas across Central Asia, from central Turkmenistan to northern Gansu in China. A bird of deserts, the saxaul sparrow favours areas with shrubs such as the saxaul, near rivers and oases. Although it has lost parts of its range to habitat destruction caused by agriculture, it is not seriously threatened by human activities. (Full article...).
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxaul_sparrow> _______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries: 1869: Prospectors in Moliagul, Australia, discovered the largest alluvial gold nugget ever found, known as the Welcome Stranger. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome_Stranger> 1923: Australian cricketer Bill Ponsford made 429 runs to break the world record for the highest first-class score. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Ponsford> 1985: Punic Wars: The mayors of Carthage and Rome signed a symbolic peace treaty to officially end the Third Punic War, 2,134 years after it began. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Punic_War> 2008: Eighty-seven tornadoes occurred over the course of the Super Tuesday tornado outbreak across multiple U.S. states, causing 56 deaths and over $1 billion in damage. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Super_Tuesday_tornado_outbreak> _____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day: deign: 1. (transitive) 2. (chiefly in the negative) To consider it appropriate or worthy to do or give (something), often when it is seen as beneath one's dignity; to condescend, to vouchsafe. 3. (obsolete) To consider it appropriate or worthy to accept or take (something). 4. (obsolete) Often followed by of: to consider (someone) as worthy of something; to dignify. 5. (intransitive) To consider it appropriate or worthy to do something, often when it is seen as beneath one's dignity; to condescend, to think fit, to vouchsafe. 6. About Word of the Day 7. Nominate a word 8. Leave feedback <https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/deign> ___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day: As an American I believe in generosity, in liberty, in the rights of man. These are social and political faiths that are part of me, as they are, I suppose, part of all of us. Such beliefs are easy to express. But part of me too is my relation to all life, my religion. And this is not so easy to talk about. Religious experience is highly intimate and, for me, ready words are not at hand. I am profoundly aware of the magnitude of the universe, that all is ruled by law, including my finite person. I believe in the infinite wisdom that envelops and embraces me and from which I take direction, purpose, strength. --Adlai Stevenson II <https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Adlai_Stevenson_II> _______________________________________________ Wikipedia Daily Article mailing list. To unsubscribe write to: [email protected] Questions or comments? Contact [email protected]
