WILD APPLE TREES 105 



ond 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 ma- 

 hogany-like dense heart-wood rots, leaving hol- 

 low 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 



