1) picking up seed
1a) of birds, esp. of the crow or daw that picks up grain in fields
2) metaph.
2a) lounging about the market place and picking up a substance by whatever may chance to fall from the loads of merchandise
2b) hence, beggarly, abject, vile, (a parasite)
2c) getting a living by flattery and bufferoonery
2d) an empty talker, babbler