In July the incessant, cry-baby twittering of the young orioles is
thus as common a sound of the orchard and pasture as it is of the
elm-shaded street. Other apple tree nest-hangers are the vireos,
yellow throated, red-eyed and white-eyed, all of whom love to
build on the low-swinging tips of the benedictory limbs. It seems
to me that no other tree attracts such a variety of beautiful
birds out of what one might think to be their usual environment.
Of these I may cite the scarlet tanager and the rose-breasted
grosbeak, both rather shy woodland dwellers, the tanager the
friend of the tall timber, the grosbeak partial to sprout land and
second growth, but both often found building their nests on the
inviting boughs of apple trees not far from their favorite haunts.

It seems, too, as if the tree made especial preparation for the
housing of other less shy folk. I know no other tree so nobly
hollow-hearted. At little excuse, if it be not good will toward
woodpeckers, bluebirds and their like, the mahogany-like dense
heart-wood rots, leaving hollow passages in the trunk and larger
limbs, and often in the smaller ones, too. Here are homes for all
who seek complete seclusion from storms and enemies. The little
screech owl loves these hollows more than those of any other tree,
and sings his little quavering night song from the dusky tops,
while his mate and her eggs are safely hidden in the blackness of
the hollow below. The downy woodpecker bores his nest hole in the
softened heart-wood of upright limbs and pays for his lodging by
devouring all grubs and borers that otherwise might make his house
fall too soon. The bluebird finds his dwelling ready made, lower
down, often in a horizontal limb, having neither strength nor
inclination to bore for himself. The flicker, too, loves the apple
tree and bores his own hole in upright limbs, as does the downy
woodpecker, often with much noise and obtrusion of vigorous chips.

Nor need the list stop here. The red squirrel and the gray, the
bat, the field mouse and the white-footed mouse all feel this
welcoming charm, this endearing hospitality of the wild apple
tree, whether born wild or grown wild through neglect, and go to
it for protection, for food, for a home, or just because, like
man, they love it and feel sweetened and heartened in its
presence.

Soon now the snow of falling petals will whiten the ground beneath
all wild apple trees, carrying an inexpressible purity and
fra