Pigeon- stealers. 



109 



buildings. The very first season proved that he 

 had acted wisely ; and I myself, in latter times, 

 have known ninety-three dozens of young pigeons 

 to have been taken out of this dove-cot in the 

 course of one year. 



But now the wind has veered against us: and 

 scanty is the show of pigeons. The reader will 

 see why, if he will read the remainder of this 

 paper. 



Whilst the owner could protect his pigeons, 

 numerous square dove-cots of handsome archi- 

 tecture, embellished the sylvan scenery of the 

 adjacent country; and as old pigeons were not in 

 repute for the table, these dove-cots were sure to 

 have a plentiful supply of breeding-birds ; and the 

 farmers vied with each other, in keeping their dove- 

 cots in thorough repair. 



These buildings contained separate recesses or 

 holes for each pair of pigeons ; and, in front of 

 these holes, there was a row of bricks from wall to 

 wall, jutting out by way of a terrace, whereon the 

 inmates might rest or walk. A window, and 

 sometimes two, gave light to the interior of the 

 building : and there was a large square glazed 

 frame at the top of the roof, supported by four 

 short legs ; just giving room enough betwixt the 

 roof and the frame, to allow of the ingress and egress 



