THE DOVE-COTE. 159 



and accustomed gradually to the surrounding scenery, 

 before they have acquired sufficient strength of wing 

 wherewith to lose themselves, will become perfectly 

 domesticated. 



The DOVE-COTE, or pigeon-loft, as to its situation 

 or extent, will necessarily depend on convenience; 

 one GENERAL RULE, however, must be invariably 

 observed, that every pair of pigeons have two 

 holes, or rooms, to nest in. Without this indispen- 

 sable convenience there will be no security, but the 

 prospect of constant confusion, breaking of eggs, 

 and destruction of the young. Pigeons do well near 

 dwellings, stables, bake-houses, brew- houses, or such 

 offices : or their proper place is in the poultry-court. 

 A dove-cote is a good object, situate upon an island, 

 in the centre of a piece of water : indeed, such is a 

 proper situation for aquatic poultry, and rabbits 

 also ; and may be rendered extremely beautiful and 

 picturesque by planting, and a little simple orna- 

 mental and useful building. Where pigeons are 

 kept in a room, some persons prefer making their 

 nests upon the floor, to escape the danger of the 

 young falling out; but in all probability this is to 

 guard against one risk, and incur a great number, par- 

 ticularly that of rats and other vermin. 



The FRONT of the pigeon-room, or cote, should 

 have a south-west aspect ; and if a room be selected 

 for the purpose, it is usual to break a hole in the 

 roof of the building for the passage of the pigeons, 

 which can be closed at convenience. A platform is 

 laid by the carpenter at the entrance, for the pigeons 

 to alight and perch upon, with some kind of defence 



