1 908-1909.] Old Dovecots {Scotland). 97 



have originated, is thus described by Howard Saunders, 

 'British Birds' (1899): — 



" The Eock-Dove is, I believe, only to be found in a truly 

 wild state in localities where caves or deep fissures exist. 

 Along the coast of Scotland from St Abbs Head northward 

 the wild Eock-Dove is widely distributed, while in the Shet- 

 lands and Orkneys as well as the Hebrides and along the 

 west side almost every district has its ' doo cave.' In the 

 British Islands the favourite resorts of the Eock-Dove are 

 deep caverns, on the ledges of which a slight nest is con- 

 structed, sometimes as early as March, while young and even 

 unhatched eggs have been found in September, so that at 

 least two broods must be reared in the year. The two white 

 eggs measure 1*5 by 1*15 in. Like other members of the 

 family, this species is partial to grain, but it makes amends 

 by eating the roots of the couch-grass and the seeds of various 

 troublesome weeds as well as considerable quantities of 

 snails." 



I shall also give extracts from Selby and Macgillivray. 

 ' The Natural History of Pigeons,' by Prideaux John Selby 

 (1835). — " Biset or Wild Eock Pigeon {Columba livia). — The 

 Eock or wild pigeon is better known to our readers as the 

 inhabitant of the pigeon -house, or, as it is frequently called, 

 the dovecot, buildings expressly erected for the purpose of 

 containing colonies of these birds. In this state, where they 

 enjoy a perfect freedom of action and are nearly dependent 

 upon their own exertions for support, they can scarcely be 

 called reclaimed, much less domesticated. Man, indeed, has 

 only taken advantage of certain habits natural to the species, 

 and by the substitution of an artificial for a real cavern, to 

 which the pigeon-house may be compared, has, without violat- 

 ing or at least greatly infringing upon its natural condition, 

 brought it into a kind of voluntary subjection and rendered it 

 subservient to his benefit and use. Vast numbers of young 

 pigeons in various parts of the world are by this system 

 annually produced and rendered available as a wholesome and 

 nutritious food, as well as a source of considerable profit to the 

 proprietors of this edifice." 



Eegarding the building of Dovecots Selby says : — 



"The most approved is that of a circular tower, as it 



