peck1 (pek)

[ IMG:content-2528.png:[blocks in formation] The best way to dig for insects is to peck up a circular patch about eighteen inches in diameter, throw aside the frozen clods, and then to work carefully downwards. J. G. Wood, Out of Doors, p. 213. II. in trans. To make strokes or light blows with the beak or some pointed instrument. The liuely picture of that ramping Vine Which whilom Zeuxis limn'd so rarely fine That shoals of Birds, beguiled by the shapes, Peckt at the Table, as at very Grapes. Sylvester, tr. of Du Bartas's Weeks, i. 6. To peck at. (a) To strike with repeated slight blows. (b) To attack repeatedly with petty criticism; carp at. Mankind lie pecking at one another. Sir R. L'Estrange. Heaven mend her faults! - I will not pause To weigh and doubt and peck at flaws. Whittier, Lines on a Fly-Leaf. IMG:content-2529.png:[blocks in formation] Hakluyt's Voyages , III. 271. IMG:content-2530.png:[blocks in formation] or knocked off. Shavings and peckings of free stone. Hakluyt's Voyages, III. 619. 3. The sport of throwing pebbles at birds to bring them down. They cro ed a road soon afterwards, and there close to them lay a heap of charming pebbles. "Look here," shouted East, "here's luck! I've been longing for some good honest pecking this half-hour. Let's fill the bags, and have no more of this foozling bird's-nesting." T. Hughes, Tom Brown at Rugby, ii. 4.