CUMBERLAND 



building has been long used as a cattle shed, 

 and it is very possible that formerly existing 

 lower tiers have been removed. The dovecote 

 is of considerable height, and sixteen feet in in- 

 ternal diameter; there is an open cupola upon 

 the roof. 



At Rose Castle, the episcopal palace of the 

 diocese, we find a square dovecote. A stone 

 above the doorway bears the date 1700, at 

 which time Bishop Smith, a well-known bene- 

 factor to the diocese, was holder of the see; 

 but a survey taken in the days of the Common- 

 wealth speaks of a dovecote of *'hewn stone," 

 and it is probable that the Bishop merely exe- 

 cuted some repairs. The building is eighteen 

 feet nine inches square, and twenty feet high 

 to a heavy cornice which entirely surrounds the 

 house. The L-shaped nests, numbering about 

 eight hundred and arranged in fifteen tiers, 

 commence nine inches from the ground and 

 are provided with alighting-ledges. 



A dovecote presenting features of special 

 interest stands at the hamlet of Parsonby 

 Green, in the parish of Plumbland. It is nearly, 

 although not quite square. The lower portion 



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