Page:Natural History, Birds.djvu/234

Rh British Islands, as it is in all the temperate parts of Europe; it affects well wooded districts, being shy and recluse in its habits. Its mournful cooing is heard in such situations almost incessantly during the spring months, though it is rarely seen, except when, the rushing of its powerfulwings directing the attention of the observer to the summit of a lofty tree, he just catches a glimpse of its form as it darts away to some more undisturbed concealment. This shyness of character is, however, sometimes modified. Sir William Jardine mentions an instance in which one