Gene Jarvis: Barbados Sparrow

Artist: Gene Jarvis
1921 - 1990
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1980
Image Size: 9.5 by 9 inches
Overall Size: 12.75 by 12.5 inches
Medium: Pen and Ink on Hot Press Illustration Board

The Barbados Sparrow is sometimes called the Lesser Antillean Bullfinch. This tiny bird of 5 to 6 inches long is widespread throughout Barbados. It is commonly seen in shrubbery and forest undergrowth, and is found remarkably tame in the gardens of the area. The male bears an inconspicuous spot above the lores, the area between the bird's eye and the base of its bill. Most of the other plumage is brownish-black. The female has dark, olive-gray underparts. But, generally, adult male and female Barbados Sparrows strongly resemble each other. The Sparrow's nest is particularly interesting. Unlike many other birds, the Sparrow builds a globular nest with a side entrance, as opposed to an open top. It is usually situated in a bush or tree, where it is fairly well concealed. The Sparrow then fills it with two or three spotted eggs. Among experts, there is some question as to the proper classification of Sparrows. While it is agreed that all are small brown-bodied birds with short, conical bills, and that they feed mostly on seeds obtained on or near the ground, authorities are not agreed on a family in which the Sparrows belong. At various times they have been classified with the finches, as a subfamily of the weavers, and even as belonging to a family all their own. Evidently, Sparrows branched off along an evolutionary path of their own at an early stage, producing species which in external appearance come very close to the finches. The roofed-over nest, however, is in direct contrast to finches.

This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Barbados Sparrow stamp issued August 7, 1979.

Artwork Copyright © 1980 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB06428

US$ Price: $950.00

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