Significance of a sparrow

I read that sparrows were a signal to sailors that land was near and developed into a source of hope for those who had been out to sea for a long time.

It brings to mind other quotes I've read about sparrows but I can't remember the exact words. One is something about 'the eye of the sparrow'....maybe it's the song: His Eye Is On The Sparrow?

Still...the main thought here in my mind is the message of hope...