BOOK OF DOVECOTES 



high to the eaves, and about forty-five in in- 

 ternal circumference. The vaulted roof has a 

 small round central opening. There are two 

 string-courses upon the outer surface of the 

 walls, which are over three feet thick. Inside 

 are some three hundred oblong nest-holes, now 

 untenanted. This dovecote is a very early ex- 

 ample, dating probably from the time when the 

 abbey of St. Mary stood upon the ground now 

 occupied by a large farm. 



Gainford, had we but time to cross the Tees 

 and enter Durham, would display not a few 

 dovecotes in the neighbourhood; but we must 

 ignore them here, and pass to Snape Castle, 

 near Bedale, where, in the stackyard, stands 

 a stone-built dovecote twenty-six feet square 

 and twenty-two feet high, with walls some three 

 feet thick. The roof of grey slates is broken 

 by a single dormer window, and surmounted 

 by a lantern. The door is two feet six inches 

 wide. Inside are fifteen hundred nest-holes, 

 furnished with alighting-ledges, and to some 

 extent still occupied. 



The age of this building is probably very 

 considerable, the date 14 14, cut with a joiner's 

 150 



