182 PASSERES. — MUSCICAPAD^. 



down pounces the Hawk suddenly upon him, seizes 

 the unwary bird in his talons, and devours him." * 



The courage of the Tyrants in defence of their 

 nests, is well known ; but it seems at times to be- 

 come almost a mania. The late proprietor of Mount 

 Airy, in his daily walks about the estate, was at- 

 tacked with such virulence by a Petchary that was 

 nesting, the bird actually pecking his head, that 

 he was compelled to take out a stick in defence, 

 with which he at length struck down the too 

 valiant bird. Dogs seem especially obnoxious to 

 it, and this not only during incubation; at any 

 time a passing dog is likely to be assaulted by this 

 fierce bird, and if he be so unfortunate as to have 

 any sore on his body, that is sure to be the point 

 of attack. One of my youths, a veracious lad, nar- 

 rated to me the following circumstance, to which 

 he was witness. A large dog was following his 

 mistress through Mount Edgecumbe Pen, when a 

 Petchary flew virulently at him: on the shoulder 

 of the dog was a large running sore ; to this the 

 bird directed his attention : suspending himself over 

 the wound, he clutched with his extended feet as 

 if he wished to seize it thus, snapping angrily with 

 his beak ; then suddenly he pecked the wound, while 

 the dog howled in agony. The bird, however, re- 

 peated its assaults exactly in the same manner, until 

 the blood ran down the shoulder from the wound ; 

 the dog all the while seemingly cowed and afraid to 

 run, but howling most piteously, and turning round 

 to snap at the bird. The woman was at some distance 



* MSS. 



