BOOK OF DOVECOTES 



entrance-gate — a frequent case in Auvergne. 

 In one instance at least the pigeon-house sur- 

 mounted a well. 



French pigeon-keepers, like their Roman 

 brethren, found their flocks extremely subject 

 to attacks from vermin, and took various pre- 

 cautions to defeat the pest. Hence probably 

 the form of dovecote known as the colombier 

 ct pied, already alluded to; raised on four, or 

 sometimes eight pillars, there being nothing 

 but an open shed or hangar underneath. Each 

 pillar capital had a larmier or coping over it, 

 which it was almost impossible for rats or 

 similar invaders to surmount. Another method 

 was to insert in the external surface of the walls 

 a course or two of highly polished bricks or tiles, 

 which formed all rounds the house a band too 

 slippery for feet and claws to grip. This method, 

 not without value as an ornament, was fre- 

 quently employed in Languedoc. Still more 

 common was the application of a broad string- 

 course to the wall. 



The circular dovecote was long popular, hav- 

 ing among other advantages that of adapting 

 itself to the introduction of the potence, so 

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