BOOK OF DOVECOTES 



has one peculiarity which calls for mention. Its 

 date is 1673, that on the house itself being 1 674. 



This might be taken as mere careless error; 

 but the case of Luntley does not stand alone, 

 there being other instancesof such discrepancy 

 of date. The following explanation may per- 

 haps be suggested as acceptably. It is possible 

 thata man about to build himself ahouse might 

 prudently reflect that the work would take 

 several months, even a year or more, while the 

 erection of a dovecote might be easily accom- 

 plished in the course of a few weeks. A large 

 portion of his food supply would necessarily be 

 of home production; and he might very well 

 decide to get the dovecote ready in advance, 

 so that its occupants could settle down in their 

 new home before he needed them. 



The main road through Canon Pyon will in 

 time bring us to Eardisland,adelightful village 

 on the little river Arrow; here are some of the 

 best half-timbered houses in the district, a not- 

 able example being the Staick House, imme(;li-' 

 ately at the east end of Arrow Bridge. Across 

 the stream, in a farmyard beside the watdr, 

 stands a dovecote differing much in style froin 

 56 



