"THE SAILING PUDDOCK SWEEPS ABOUT FOR PREY"*
            John Clare
                c. 183?
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The sailing puddock sweeps about for prey
And keeps above the woods from day to day
They make a nest so large in woods remote
Wood fill a womans apron with the sprotes**
And schoolboys daring doing tasks the best
Will often climb and stand upon the nest
They find a hugh old tree and free from snaggs
And make a flat nest lined with wool and rags
And almost big enough to make a bed
And lay three eggs and spotted oer with red
The schoolboy often hears the old ones cry
And climbs the tree and gets them ere they fly
And takes them home and often cuts their wing
And ties them in the garden with a string


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* later given the editorial title "The Puddock's Nest"

** twigs for firewood kindling

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