BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 75 



had eaten 157 individuals. In one stomach were five small stinkbugs (Thyanta 

 sp.) and five flies (Euxesta sp.). Beetles were represented by a pea weevil 

 (Bruchus sp.) and a sap beetle (Stelidota sp.). Several snout beetles (Calan- 

 dridse and Curculionidse, including one Caulophilus sp. ) and one engraver beetle 

 (Platypus sp.) were taken. An unexpected species was a back swimmer (Plea 

 striola), an aquatic form rather out of place in a swift's stomach. The black 

 swift is entirely beneficial in its food habits. It is to be regretted that it is not 

 more common, as it is the only member of its family present in Porto Rico. 



GRAY KINGBIRD. Tyrannus dominicensis dominicensis (Gmelin). (Plate VII.) 



PlTIRRE. 



The gray kingbird, a common resident species in Porto Rico, frequents open 

 localities and is found through pastures, cultivated fields, and waste lands 

 from the coast to the higher portions of the island, but is not found in forests 

 or coffee plantations. None were seen in the forests on El Yunque, though 

 the bird was common in all the clearings about its base, and only two were 

 noted near Maricao, which is in the heart of the coffee district. 



The native name " pitirre " is in imitation of the call note, which is heard 

 constantly when the birds are near, and which at times is lengthened and 

 softened until it might almost be called a song. The flight is direct, moder- 

 ately fast, and accomplished by rapidly beating wings. The gray kingbird 

 has the reputation among the country people of being the earliest riser among 

 birds. In the daytime it scatters along the slopes and through the fields to 

 feed, but at nightfall gathers in small parties along streams, to roost in the 

 bamboos or in the mangroves surrounding the lagoons. In Caguas, Adjuntas, 

 and a few other places at eventide they were noted coming in to roost in the 

 trees of the plazas. As it grew dusk considerable numbers came flying in, 

 singly or in little groups of four or five. At first they alighted in the tops of 

 rather high, open trees, and from here made sallies after passing insects, abun- 

 dant in the early twilight, or flew swiftly and rather erratically through the 

 trees, sweeping and diving, apparently merely for the pleasure of it. They were 

 rather silent on these occasions. As it grew darker all retired to low, dense 

 trees to roost. 



The nesting season extends from April to July, and during the latter month 

 young are abundant. At all times very pugnacious, pursuing blackbirds, hawks, 

 and other birds, they now become doubly so, resenting all intrusions in their 

 neighborhood. Occasionally they were seen standing on open perches during 

 showers with outspread trembling wings, evidently enjoying the downpour. 

 At times this species is semigregarious, being drawn together by an abundance 

 of food. Birds were frequently observed capturing insects on the wing about 

 high, breezy points in the mountains. Trees loaded with various fruits, as 

 the guaraguou (Trichilia spondiodes) or wild fig (Ficus sp.), drew large num- 

 bers of them. March 6 along the Rio Mameyes, at the base of El Yunque, 

 dozens of these birds came to feed on the fruit of the guaraguou. Seventeen 

 were counted comparatively close together in one small tree. The laurel ber- 

 ries (Phoebe elongata) are ravenously eaten, although they are so large that 

 the birds can scarcely swallow them. Where the fruit of the wild fig grows on 

 slender twigs, the kingbird flies out and pulls it off, returning to a perch on 

 the larger limbs to swallow it. Quantities of the berries of the balsamo 

 (Palicourea crocea) and camacey (Miconia racemosa) also are taken. During 

 August the young birds rely largely upon vegetable food. 



A few facts regarding the insect food of this kingbird were learned from 

 field observation. Birds were twice observed eating the caterpillars of a large 

 sphinx moth. These were beaten on a limb, and then the juices were ex- 



