420 OUR WOODLAND TREES. 
serrated or spined margins. They have purplish 
footstalks, prominent mid-ribs, in continuation of 
these footstalks, with principal branches, con- 
tinued on each side to the leaf-margins, and beau- 
tifully forked and reticulated. Though the sub- 
stance of the leaf is not very transparent, its 
veining can be easily seen when it is held against 
the light. 
Whilst birds are fond of the fruit of Cerasus 
padus, moths and caterpillars have a singular pre- 
dilection for its leaves; so much so, indeed, that 
it is considered a wise arrangement, protective of 
other and more valuable fruit Trees, to plant some 
specimens of the Bird Cherry, at intervals, amongst 
ordinary fruit Trees; for it is found that in such 
cases the insects and moths nearly all repair to 
the leaves of this species. 
The wood of Cerasus padus is bitter and 
disagreeable to the taste like its fruit. It is 
yellowish in colour and hard in texture, and is 
valued for various purposes of the cabinet-maker 
and turner. 
A rapid grower on a dry, good soil in a shel- 
tered position, making, for the first five or six 
