pecking

Same as place-brick.

plural Pieces pecked or knocked off.

The sport of throwing pebbles at birds to bring them down.

They crossed a road soon afterwards, and there close to them lay a heap of charming pebbles. “Look here,” shouted East, “here’s luck! I’ve been longing for some good honest pecking this half-hour. Let’s fill the bags, and have no more of this foozling bird’s-nesting.”

Present participle of peck.