2O4 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



returned to renew the circling movements of the 

 morning with the same amount of noise, when one 

 by one with as much regularity as the marching 

 of soldiers, would drop into the building until the 

 last had entered. A little din and chattering over 

 the day's adventures, and all was quiet again. 

 The presence of persons upon the scene did not 

 cause the circle to waver in the least. Being very 

 intent upon this sort of amusement, for such it 

 seemed to be, nothing seemed to distract attention 

 or cause desistance therefrom. The most un- 

 bounded confidence in man, acquired and strength- 

 ened by the peaceable enjoyment of his society 

 for many years, has rendered this species exceed- 

 ingly tame and unsuspicious. Few species mani- 

 fest their trustfulness to such an extent. Their 

 departure for warmer countries occurs usually 

 about the I5th of September. 



Their eggs are oblong-oval, being pointed at one 

 end, and of an unspotted, creamy-white color. 

 They measure .93 of an inch in length, and .78 in 

 breadth. 



Family Ampelidae. Chatterers. 



With some writers, this arbitrary and unnatural 

 grouping of genera which agree in some, while 

 they differ in other particulars, is placed in Clama- 

 tores, next to the Tyrannidcz. Dr. Coues is of the 

 opinion that this family should be dismembered. 

 The near resemblance of the Myiadestince a sub- 

 family, to the Turdida, as shown by Prof. Baird, 



