The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-12-04
! 0. K.
5 MEAT
|; MARKET
A FIGHTING SWAN.
The Ugly Fowl FierceIy Attacks Men
and Boys Who Come Near
His Home.

His Home.
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 big black swan, whose self-appoint-
ed sovereignty over the lake and its
borders is causing much concern. The
swan was named Big Tim 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 Sc
cluded nook along the shore. But Tim
has changed his habits since then in
a 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 along
the shore in his neighborhood, and Tom
Donohoe, the keeper, has had his hands
full in preventing the swan from doing
some real injury.
Tim is of unusual size for a swan,
and, with his head raised as it is when
he is on the war path, stands about
four feet high. With one of his wings,
1t is said, he could break persons leg
II he tapped with full force, and for
this reason the alarm the park authori-
ties have feltin regard to Tins present
conduct Is not perhaps exaggerated.
Tim is native of the park and is the
oldest member of the collection. For
this reason the authorities have been
reluctant to interfere with him.
Tins favorite resting place Is
spot on the eastern shore of the lake,
and there he and his mate spend great
deal of their time. This spot is some
distance from the walk, but occasion
ally persons invade Tins domain.
Tim won't attack anything in petit
coats, and it is only when men or boys
approach that he shows fight. Then
he waits until the intruder has adj
vanced to within few feet of him.
When the danger limit has been
reached, out will come vicious-look-
ing head on the end Of long, black
neck, and for few seconds Tim will
stare at the invader. If this does not
force retreat the old swan will get
up slowly, shake himself and then
with his enormous pinions outstretched
and his head erect, he will charge, all
The time uttering a series of gurgling
cries.
This seldom fails to send the in
truder away, but even in the case of
stubborn antagonists the old swan has
often come out victorious, providing he
gets in few well-directed blows with |
his wings. Not few small boys have
had their legs bruised in this manner /
and have been rescued by policemen
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 we'll, but so
long as they do not make any hostile
sign, he will manifest his resentment
at their approach only by pol1ing his
head around in warning manner and
occasionally making one of his gurgling
cries. A careful watch is being kept
on Tim and the police have full in
structions TO prevent anyone from real
ly hurting him, even in self defense.
Tins sovereignty over the lake and its
little colony of fowl is undisputed.
When he paddles around the lake the
geese and ducks, with their broods of
little ones. get out of his path. Even
the big white swans. enticed by the
children's offerings at the landing
place on the west shore of the lake,
sail apologetically away when Tim ar
rives.
Tim frequently makes trips to a little
pond Just northwest of the big lake,
where there is another black swan.
Sometimes he will spend whole day
visiting this friend. To get TO this
pon1 he has to travel a considerable
distance over land, but fortunately does
not have to cross any paths in these ex-
and he does not encounter vis-
tors IN the park. The other swan, has
never been tempted to make the big
axe her home. and Tim. toward night
lall. always returns home
Unlike most OF the animals ami birds,
Tim has not made friends with his keep.
n, and when Donohue goes out on the
axe he always carries a stout stick
With which 70 keep Tim away from the
,oat.-N. Y. sun.
Mormons IN Su1trerland.