The Jackdaw: A Gregarious Thief

 

The Jackdaw

On a frosty morn, when the sun is low,
A hungry jackdaw doth his courage show;
He leaves his nest, and braves the biting cold,
To seek for crumbs, or corn, or aught of gold.

He hops and pecks, and scans with watchful eye,
The barren fields, the roofs, the roads, the sky;
He spies a carriage, drawn by horses four,
And follows it, in hope of finding more.

He sees a lady, fair and richly dress'd,
Who from her window throws a crust of bread;
He swoops and snatches it, with joy and pride,
And bears it off, to share it with his bride.

He thinks himself the happiest of his kind,
To have such food, and such a friend to find;
He thanks the gods, and blesses his good fate,
And sings a song, to celebrate his state.

A Shropshire Lad

https://voice.gardenbird.co.uk/all-about-the-jackdaw/