1) picking up seed

a) of birds, esp. of the crow or daw that picks up grain in fields

2) metaph.

a) lounging about the market place and picking up a substance by whatever may chance to fall from the loads of merchandise

b) hence, beggarly, abject, vile, (a parasite)

c) getting a living by flattery and bufferoonery

d) an empty talker, babbler