Of the more than 9,000 varieties of birds in the world, none is more common than the sparrow.  The adjective "common" well describes this little bird that is found throughout much of the world, from the extreme reaches of the north to the southern hemisphere.  Geese have been seen over the Himalayas in Asia at a height of more than 29,000 feet, where jet airplanes fly.  But not the little sparrow that hovers quite close to the ground.  While an African ostrich may stand 8 feet tall and weigh 300 pounds, the little sparrow can rest in your hand.  Some birds, such as the peacock, have brilliant plumage, but sparrows are pretty basic and plain little birds mostly brown in color, with an occasional touch of white or black, or a suggestion of red.