As for a pretext, they can find a reason
For killing us each day throughout the season.
Some people talk as if the sport were quite meant
To give the birds some innocent amusement,
And say a little shooting to us Rocks is
Just the delight that hunting is to foxes.
Poor beasts! How can they possibly avoid it?
They’d “be surprised to hear” how they enjoyed it.
One says that killing pigeons is as good
As murdering barn-door pheasants in a wood.