110 



PTGEON-COTS AND 



of the pigeons. It was called a glover \ supposed 

 to be a corruption of the French word ouvert, that 

 is, an opening. So says common report up and 

 down the country. 



Inside of the cot, there was an upright shaft, 

 working in a socket on the floor ; and also at the 

 top, by means of a pivot, which was let into a cross- 

 beam. A frame, forming steps from the bottom to 

 the top, and jointed into the upright shaft, afforded 

 an easy ascent to the climber in quest of young 

 pigeons. Up this, he used to mount, step by 

 step ; and with one foot on it, and with the other 

 on the jutting bricks already mentioned, he could 

 go round the dove-cot ; searching every hole in the 

 place, with ease, and with perfect safety to himself. 



A well-planned dove-cot ought to have solid walls 

 for a couple of yards from the foundation, to 

 prevent vermin from making their way upwards ; 

 and there ought to be light through a window, 

 independent of that which enters at the glover. 



My new dove-cot has two large windows, and 

 six hundred and sixty- six holes or recesses for the 

 purpose of incubation. It is cleaned out, and 

 white-washed inside, once every year. The old 

 one, in former days, before pigeon shooting became 

 the fashionable and, properly speaking, the illegal 

 pastime of the day, was always well stocked with 

 birds. 



