New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-06-13
TIE BLACK SWANS ~ CENTRAL PARh.

rpr.vr MALE AND A DEVOTED FEMALE
THREE BLACK CYGyETs ADDED TO TIIE FLOCK.
Regular visitors to Central Park. who have been
watching for a month the black swan sitting upon
her nest on The boulder that Gt' out OF the lower
Lake. north of the bridge that spans the narrow
neck of the lake. discovered last week that Tue
parent had rea ped the fruit Of her long ana solitary
vigil broken egg shell ay upon the rocN pe'ine
her and acvgnet as large as a pigeon and covered
with down Of the shade of a Maltese kitten resi- q
only partly concealed hy of the black wings OF
the mother. Laler in the day there were two more
broken egg Shells and two more young cygnets
waddled out on the rock and crowded under tue
old swans projecting wing Satisfied that her
task was completed. the mother then rose from the
nest and examined it with great care TO make sure
that no stray eggs were left unmatched.
The male swan who hal been somewhat de-
lnquent during the last week OF the females sola-
ton but had become AGAIN attentive day or two
before the youny were Matched, showed com
mendabe solicitude, thrustIng his rel bill among
the sticks and straws of the nest The female
appeared 10 be afflicted with as much
Stiffness of the limbs on rising as
RID Van Wlnkle after his long nap.
she stretched herself and smoOthad Der ruined
feathers. and then the whole family moved down
the side of the rock aad entered the water. Inc
peared more at home as they padded along beside
the mother than when they were upon the rock
The male swan sho we'd proud sense of Importance
at this addition to his family. He would swim "A
little in advance uttering "a shril note occasionally
and bidding defiance to other swimming l0"l lhat
approached. They did not 20 Tar from the rock
and soon returned to II. he fcmlle swan appeared
TO be much refreshed by the bath. and the male
returned after short absence with food for the
party. IT,. e, to
formed Oh the bridge to watch the devoted mother
as she sat upon her nest, so lonely ana Win perfect
resignation. vt times her head would he buried
under her wing, but at any unusual noise tue req
heak would start out and the long neck Wouu
TWIST in graceful curves as she looked lhpur'u8lN
around on ali sides. For the first few weeks the
male swan never left the rock for an interval
longer than few minutes. lie wond SWIM
around tne rock darling tercelv ~ tle geese ana
other swans who attempted TO enter TINS pOr ION OF
the lake aud venting his spite on the Dlackbirqs
and sparrOws who presumed 10 ailglt on 1ne rock.
When he became tired he would SIT beside MS uiite
or take her place wnle she maze a
short excursion for exercise. lie was
extremely fierce and showed the greatest dislike to
tine swan boats that ALWAYS stopped at the rock 10
permit the passengers to look II the nest, ana the
heaviest storms that swept over the rock had no
more effect on his devotion than they had on tne
mother on the nest. But during the thlfd week ne
seemed to become less fierce ana more uneasy. Inc
OF her water fowl were permitted to approach WIN
out exciting his impatlence ana about We'k pc
fore the young were hatcned as H"ch Vi we
swans of his species were swimming ny tne
rock ne isIned them and deserted his post. His
cnmuanl0n looked and called for HIM at lnteryais
for "A dav or two after she was lcti alone. Dut
seeing that he was cOntcnteoly swimming al the
further end If the lake with he other swans shr
did not give herself ND to despair like Aradne but
replaced her head under her wing ana nestled more
closely 10 the ro.k. II was feared by SuperiIieno-
ent Couklm chat -he might cave her nest to sees
foo / auc that the eggs would become colo. he
directed that some food should be placed a near a
uOssible within her reach she ate III, OF II, how
ever untIl the youn. had oeen Matched. When he
.,l. 81 r 81
fore the hltching me appeared to understand that
his conduct had oeen rrprehensibie For IN" great
er part of the irst daV he continued 10 win around
the rock without veuturng upon 1t. ny degrees ne
beca ne bolaer and climbed up beside the nest.
where he remained al night, and the next day NJ
wa rs fierce toward all ntrCd RS Is on the day
wien tie female tooA possession of the rock
lnere are Low ten fu.'-crOwn black swans I'D
Central Park. The finest couple were secure" x
~ clgnt years ago non Australa, Wheh arA
swan. were s.Ii doubted by many 10 exist. heN
are slightly small Ter than the Vultc swan, ana ne
.c'iaIr Is -lnal er than the male. Inc hst swan.
were killed recently hy some OF the dogs that stl
rtO The park They had cnUsrn TINS rock III the
low q axe on which they uuIli their nest oi i'F@
and -tfawS. THIS place. winch Is ISrl&le ana So
,urr has low been taken Dy the present swans
who aye the Olocst Oiisprng of The first TWO. lhcy
thrive vigorously I'D Central Park. and are gent G
and easily managed. g. he family ot Young swans
Will not Join the flock for -everdl weeks uhth mes
lecoue iar1. aud strong, but VIII continue 10 maze
fft rDl. firlV homo.