IN THE ORCHARD 283 



their restlessness quickly sends them out again 

 and, as confidence is restored, from the topmost 

 stones they vigorously proclaim their faith that 

 all is well. Then back to their feeding they go, 

 as though nothing unusual had happened. 



The Vespers are usually silent, except at 

 morning and evening, but the Savannas from 

 the low branches join in with their grasshopper- 

 like trills, so faint as to be audible but a short 

 distance away. 



Occasionally in April Fox Sparrows are seen, 

 their bright brown coats very conspicuous 

 among the rather dull shades of the band. But 

 they appear shy and restless, evidently feeling 

 out of place in such open location, and soon take 

 wing in a steady thrush-like flight for the denser 

 cover of the woods. 



In early May male Purple Finches come, and 

 all day deftly shell the apple seeds for the dainty 

 morsel within. At times they also pick off^ the 

 swelling buds, but this fact is, I hope, unknown 

 to the farmer; for did he know, he might feel 

 called upon to interfere with these brilliant mem- 

 bers of the spring choir. 



So beautiful is the red of their coats that one 

 easily imagines they have been dipped in the 

 juice of wild strawberries. And what a striking 

 contrast to their modestly dressed mates who 

 arrive a little later! It is not an easy matter 

 to distinguish the females from the numerous 

 Sparrows about, but their short, rounded bills 

 and forked tails will lead to their identity. 



During the spring days Hermit Thrushes 

 steal out of the woods for a stroll in the orchard, 



