WILD APPLE TREES 103 



other proves that they, too, feel the brooding 

 charm which radiates from it. Verily, a tree is 

 known by its nests. It seems as if the apple tree 

 took loving thought and prepared especially for 

 certain varieties while welcoming all. The robin 

 loves a solid foundation for the mud bottom and 

 sides of his substantial home. On the level- 

 growing apple tree limb he finds this, and the 

 kindly tree throws out little curved, finger-like 

 fruiting twigs from the sides of its big limbs that 

 help anchor the structure' against all winds. 

 Farther up on the limb and near the slenderer 

 tip these curved fruiting twigs multiply and sug- 

 gest the very shape of his nest to the chipping 

 sparrow who loves to twine tiny roots and 

 grasses, and especially horsehair, among them till 

 his own light, wee structure is as securely placed 

 as the cement bungalow of the bigger bird. So, 

 too, the tyrant flycatcher loves to build his larger 

 nest, often interwoven "with waste string till it 

 looks as if he had tied it on. He seeks the very 

 tip of the level limb and the blunt, sturdy, spread- 

 ing twigs invite his confidence as they do that of 

 the chipping sparrow. This bold exposure of 

 eggs and nestlings invites thieving jays and mur- 

 derous crows, hawks and owls, but the king- 



