in the hand
When being held in the hands; when being handled.
These birds cannot be told apart except in the hand.
A fine quotation is a diamond on the finger of a man of wit, and a pebble in the hand of a fool. Joseph Roux
Our entire much-praised technological progress, and civilization generally, could be compared to an axe in the hand of a pathological criminal. Albert Einstein
He is a fool who lets slip a bird in the hand for a bird in the bush. Plutarch
A sparrow in the hand is better than a pigeon on the roof. Polish Proverb
Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. English Proverb
A bird in the hand has more worth than two flying. Portuguese Proverb