146 Messrs. A. and E. Newton’s Observations 
t 20. Grey Petchary. Tyrannus dominicensis, Bp. : Mus- 
cicapa dominicensis , L.; Aud. pL 170. “ Chieherywee,” “ Chich¬ 
eree.” 
The most conspicuous and common bird in the island, all over 
which it is found. Its favourite station is the top of the spear¬ 
like unexpanded frond of a tall Mountain-cabbage Tree, from 
which place it will, in the breeding season, dart down to attack 
almost any animal passing near, from a stray dog to an unhappy 
“ Gaulin” ( Butorides virescens , Bp.). If the quarry be the latter, it 
will make several well-directed stoops, and never leave it until it 
has “ brought it in/’ as the falconers say, in a cane-piece or bush ; 
then, much pleased with its prowess, it returns to its look-out 
station, celebrating its victory with cries of triumph. On one 
occasion, in 1858, a Chicheree was seen to pursue a Gaulin out 
to sea for a quarter of a mile and back again. The pretty little 
Killie-killie ( Tinnunculus sparverius , Vieill.) and the Black 
Witch ( Crotophaga ani , L.) are equally with the Gaulin the 
objects of its hatred; and as all four species have fairly loud 
voices, the noise of these encounters is not inconsiderable. The 
Petchary in particular is very clamorous, even when there is no 
apparent need; but he takes alarm from the domestic poultry, 
and every morning before dawn, with his oft-repeated note, 
sounding like the cry of a frightened Chimney Swallow ( Hirundo 
rustica , L.), and evidently onomatopoeic, is as much the herald of 
the coming day as Chanticleer himself: this noise he is as per¬ 
tinacious as a Guinea-fowl in continuing till sun-down. He has 
much the look of the Ash-coloured Shrike (Lanius excubitor, L.), 
his bold action and his style of colouring both contributing to 
the resemblance. We have never observed that on any occasion 
was the flame-coloured furrow on the head opened and displayed. 
In the nestling plumage it is altogether wanting; but with 
this exception, and that of the wing-coverts being edged with 
pale brown, the bird then resembles the adult. The Chicheree 
feeds on insects, catching them with great dexterity on the wing ; 
but he also indulges largely on the black berries of a myrtle¬ 
leaved parasite which grows plentifully on Orange-trees. The 
seeds of this pass uninjured through the bird’s intestines, and 
when dropped on favourable spots soon germinate,—the bird thus 
