SOME LESSER DOMESTICATED ANIMALS 99 



As doo-cots became more common and the "breakings 

 of Dowcattes" increased, the fine was raised in 1503 so that 

 the unlaw thereof be ten pound, to-gidder with ane amendis to the partie, 

 according to the skaith. And gif bny Children, within age, commit ony of 

 thir things foresaid, [for children then were as they are now, the] Fathers or 

 Maisters sail pay... or else deliver the said Child to the Judge, to be leisched, 

 scourged, or dung, according to the fault. 



Fig. 23. Ancient Pigeon-House or " Doo-cot" near Leadburn, Midlothian. 



To the ordinary mind these penalties would seem sufficient 

 to deter any potential "doweatte breaker," but that they did 

 not supply sufficient restraint subsequent legislation clearly 

 shows. In 1567 shooting "dows" with gun or bow was 

 forbidden under pain of forfeiture of moveables, or for the 

 first fault 40 days imprisonment, and for the second loss of 

 the right hand; and the climax of severity was reached, 

 when in 1579, James VI ordained that, in addition to paying 



72 



