>   make check |& tee /usr/tmp/pkgsrc/converters/libiconv/work.i386/check.log
> Syntax error: "&" unexpected
>
> I never saw a syntax like "|&" and my shell didn't, either,
> apparently.

It is C shell syntax.

     The standard error output may be directed through a pipe with the stan-
     dard output.  Simply use the form `|&' instead of just `|'.

make check 2>&1 | tee .../check.log

   Jeremy C. Reed
   http://bsd.reedmedia.net/