Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-06
A FIGHTING SWAN.
Big Tim Fiercely Attacks Any One
Who Comes Near Him.

From the New York Sun.
The frequenters Of the leafy little hooks
and shady grottoes along the shores OF the
big lake in Central Park have recently had
cause to complain of a big black swan, whose
self-appointed sovereignty over the lake
and it's borders is causing much concern.
The swan Ras named Big rim Several
years ago, when he was regarded by the
park authorities as an inoffensive creature
who spent most of his time with his head
tucked under his wing in some secluded
nook along the shore. But Tim has chang
ed his habits since then in manner that
shows his title to have been well bestowed.
He is now often a source of terror to the
children, and even grown persons who walk
Tom Donohoe, the keeper, has had his
hands full in preventing the swan from do
ing some real injury.
Tim is of unusual size for a swan, and,
with his head raised as it is when he is on
the path stands about four feet high.
With one of his wings, it Is said, he could
break persons leg II he tapped with all
it's force and for this reason the alarm the
park authorities have felt in regard to
Tins present conduct Is not perhaps exag-
gerated. Tim is native of the park and is
the oldest member of the collection For
this reason the authorities have been re-
luctant to interfere with him.
Tins favorite resting place Is a spot on
the eastern shore of the lake, and there he
Il
time. This spot is some distance from the
walk, but occasionally persons invade Tim 5
domain.
Tim won't attack anything in petticoats.
and it is only when men or boys approach
that he shows fight Then he waits until
the intruder has advanced to within few
feet Of him. When the danger limit has
been reached out Will come a vicious 0ok-
ing head on the end of long, black neck.
and for few seconds Tim will stare at the
invader. Ii this does not force retreat,
the o.. swan will get up slowly. shake him
self, and then with his enormous p.nionS
outstretched and his head erect, he Will
charge, all the time uttering series of
gursiing cries.
This seldom fails to send the intruder
away, but even in the case Of stubborn an
tagonists the old swan has often come out
victorious, providing he gets in few we'll
directed blows with his wings. Not few
small boys have had their legs bruised in
this manner and have been rescued by po-
licemen when they were getting worsted.
Tim will generally retreat before a big
stick, but such weapon Is not always
handy.
The immunity that women and little girls
enjoy from Tins attacks has not been
satisfactorily accounted for even by those
who know him well, but so long as they do
not make any hostile sign he Will manifest
his resentment at their approach only by
poking his head around in a warning man
ner and occasionally making one of his
gurgling cries. A careful watch Is being
kept on Tim and the police have full in
structons to prevent any one from really
hurting him, even In self-defense. Tim S
sovereignty over the lake and its little
colony of fowl is undisputed. When he pad
dies around the lake the geese and ducks
with their broods of little ones, get out OF
his path. Even the big white swans, en-.
ticed by the children's offerings at the land
ing place on the west share of the lake, sail
alphabetically awayrwhen Tim arrives.
Tim frequently makes trips to a little
pond just northwest of the big lake. where
there is another black swan. Sometimes he
will spend a whole day visiting this friend
To get to this pond he has to travel a con-
siderable distance over land, but Fortunate
ly does not have to gross any paths in these
excursions. and he does not encounter visi-
tors to the park. q, The other swan has
never been tempted. to make the big lake
her home, and Tim, toward night fall, all
ways returns alone.in ,..lc
Unlike most of the animals and birds
Tim has not made friends with his keeper,
and when Donohue, goes. out on the lake he
always carries stout stick with which he
keeps Tim away from the boat.