6 VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF LAKELAND 



sum, which is raised in the same manner as the parochial 

 taxes, and does not now exceed a halfpenny an acre; which, 

 they justly observe, was much cheaper than they could have the 

 ground scaled for, were the moles not destroyed in this manner. 

 It is a pity but there was a law to oblige every parish in the 

 kingdom to destroy their moles in the same manner; which 

 is done so effectually here, that we scarce ever saw a mole-hill 

 upon the enclosed grounds of most parts of Cumberland.' 1 



Pringle writes regarding Westmorland about the same date : 

 ' The mole-hills are carefully spread in most parts of the county, 

 and the fields are cleared of moles at the rate of 3d. an acre, 

 where they have not been catched before ; 2d. an acre are paid 

 the second year, and a penny or three-halfpence yearly there- 

 after.' 2 



William Kitchin, a native of Kentmere, who has followed 

 the occupation of a mole-catcher among the native dales for the 

 last thirty-five years, tells me that he is usually paid for his 

 labour by the farmers, who generally pay by the acreage for 

 a term of years. From him I learn that it is still the custom 

 in some parishes for the residents to club together to pay the 

 mole-catcher, the rate paid being the same. Kitchin remarks 

 that though no trapping is required on the higher fells, yet a 

 few individuals often work their way up far above the dales, 

 generally travelling along the grassy banks of fell becks. When 

 snow lies in heavy wreaths and drifts on the highest grounds, 

 the Moles frequently tunnel their way through the snow in 

 their endeavours to descend to the lower and more sheltered 

 regions. Mowdywarp, Moudiwarp, and Mowdywark are 

 slightly different variations of the title ordinarily applied to 

 the Mole in different parts of Lakeland. 



Order INSECTI VORA . Fain. SORICIDM. 



COMMON SHREW. 



Sorex tetrayonurus, Herman. 



This Shrew is quite common in most parts of Lakeland, but 



from its retiring habits is little noticed by the majority of 

 1 Agricultural Survey of Cumberland, p. 237. 2 lb. cit. p 293. 



