BOOK OF DOVECOTES 



amples only in being square instead of oblong, 

 the inside measurement of each wall being 

 twelve feet. The lean-to roof is of interest, be- 

 ing covered with large shield-shaped slabs of 

 stone. The dovecote is of stone, the high back 

 wall being rough-cast; this wall is fourteen feet 

 in height, the front onesixfeet less. The thick- 

 ness is two feet. The two side walls are corbie- 

 stepped, and round the back and sides is aledge 

 or string-course four inches broad. On the back 

 wall appears a shield with coat-of-arms, the 

 latter sodefaced thatthe owner of Pitmuies has 

 so far been unable to decipher it. But the date 

 — 1643 — is clear. 



The house is entered through the south wall 

 by a doorway with a pointed arch. Above this 

 doorway, just belowthe eaves, there is a row of 

 fifteen entrance-holes, divided from each other 

 by stone slabs. Inside are about five hundred 

 nest-holes. 



The most curious feature is the presence at 

 each end of the front wall of a small circular 

 tower, with a battlemented top rising^slightly 

 above the lower edge of thereof Externallythe 

 towers are identical in form, each being lighted 

 278 



