FOREST TITHES 25 
without prejudice, the amount of tithe taken by the 
wild creatures of the moorlands is very small. The 
creatures that are able to do much mischief are now 
very few in numbers. As to the birds, the moors are 
not their favourite dwelling-places at least, not of 
our common birds, which keep to the line of cultivated 
lands. You will see trees laden with fruit in the 
cottage gardens, placed in spots few and far between 
on the moor ; cottage and garden in its own small 
enclosure. The jays may squawk in the cover round 
about these, but they let the fruit alone, for they would 
have to cross a considerable open space from any given 
quarter to reach the fruit. On the whole, considering 
all the devices employed by man to circumvent these 
tithe-takers, it shows great sagacity on their part 
that they are able to get as much from him or his as 
they do. 
