IN a week in which birds have loomed large, the last words (or caws) are given to Helen B Cruickshank's sociable rabble.

Is there a transatlantic whiff about their deliberations? Cruickshank's Collected Poems were published by Reprographia in 1971.

CAWS AND CAUCUSES

I

In elm-trees nou the craws are thrang

Wi' gab and bicker up abune,

But eident to their darg they gang

In elm-trees. Nou the craws are thrang

And fine I thole their raucous sang

For timely aa their biggin's dune

In elm-trees nou. The craws are thrang

Wi'gab and bicker up abune.

II

In congresses the chosen gang

Wi gab and bicker never dune.

Hech! Sic a sair aff-pittin' thrang

In congresses! The chosen gang

Will ne'er agree to psalm or sang,

Or whilk precentor caas the tune

In congresses. The chosen gang

Wi' gab and bicker never dune.