246 ARMITT: WALLS AND WALL-NESTERS. 
One species of bird we have left to us in England that has not 
forsaken the primitive shelter of the cave, which was what man 
himself was once contented with, before he was cunning enough or 
industrious enough to construct a house for himself. This is the 
Rock-dove ; but with such a case, remote, like the Kingfisher that 
resorts to an earth-tunnel and the Sand-Martin that picks a little 
cave of its own, from even the slightest tendency to tree trunk- 
nesting, we have nothing to do. 
We are even too far afield! But this surely is a goodly list of hole- 
breeders; and if so many species of birds are even yet addicted to 
nesting in hollow trees, how do they escape extermination in these 
latter days when timber fails, as it does, more and more? How, but 
by adapting themselves: to circumstances, and taking any sort of a 
hole, in whatever substance it occurs? The birds that have not 
shown this adaptability have doubtless perished, or are fast doing 
so. e astuteness of the family of Titmice on this point 1s 
remarkable, and many a comic choice of a nesting-hole, in rural 
letter-box or the like, is continually being narrated of them. 
But it is here that the question of our own neighbourhood comes 
in ; for it is only by studying what lies about our doors that know: 
ledge can be gained. In a mountain region like: this, practically 
destitute of forest land, hole-nesting birds yet are abundant, both 
species and individual. Why? Is it not that they find in mans 
handiwork opportunities peculiarly favourable for the propagation 
of their kind? a 
The style of architecture prevailing in the Lake country 15 2? 
doubt primarily due to its geology. No serviceable clay is found 
for brick-making ; the rock yields a hard slate not readily worked, 
Mor amenable to neat and trimly-mortared structures. T herefore, 
rough and frequently unmortared piles are reared for farmsteads ; the 
dwelling part of the settlement is rough-cast outside for warmth» 
while the byres and outbuildings remain free, and exhibit cates. 
apertures that lie between the ill-fitting slabs of slate. The 
necessity wide, are riddled through with holes, and tortuous gig 
open to the air. When this style of building first obtained, who sha 
H sses when 
hard pressed by the Saxons knew how to build in stone; 
learned it from the Romans, whether they used it for do 
urposes or not. But the walls that now stretch everywhere Ove 
our fells, and serve to mark the limits of property, must of co 
in their vast extent, be of comparatively recent placing. ar 
o 
