The times., 1899-08-28
NEW YoRK's FIGHTING SWAN.
Big Tim FierceIy Attacks Men and
Bows in Central Park

Boys in Central Park.
NEW YORK, Aug. 27.-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 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 secluded nook along the shore
But Tim has changed his habits since then
in manner that shows his title to have
been we'll 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 prevent
ing the swan from doing some real injury.
Tim is of unusual size for a swan, and.
with his head raised as IL is when he is on
the warpath, stands about four feet high.
With one of his wings, 1t is said. he could
break a persons leg il he Mapped 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, ex-
aggerated. Tim is a native OF the PARK
and is the oldest member of the collection
NSN~%
reluctant TO interfere with him.
Tins fayorite resting place Is spot on
the eastern shore OF the lake, and there
he and his mate spend a great deal OF their
time. This spot is some distance from the
walk. but occasionally persons invade
Tins domain
Tim won't attack anything in petticoats,
and il is only when men or boys approach
that he shows fight. Then he waits until
the intruder has advanced TO within a few
| feet of him. When the danger lint mas
been reached out will come vicious-iook-
| ing head on the end of long, back neck.
and for a few seconds Tim will stare at
the invader If this does not force re-
treat. the old swan will get up slowly.
shake himself, and then with his enormous
pinions outstretched and his head erect, ne
will charge, all the time uttering series
of gurgling cries.
| This seldom fails to send the intruder
away but even in the case of stubborn an
tagonists the old swan has often come oai
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 POI
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 pol1ing his head around in warn
| ing manner and occasionally making cne
| of his gurgling cries. a careful watch is
| being kept on Tim and the police have full
| instructions to prevent anyone from really
hurting him, even in self-defence. 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 wher
| Tim arrives
| Tim frequently makes trips to little
! pond lust northwest of the big lake, where
| there is another black swan. Sometimes
| he will spend whole day visiting this
| friend To get to this pond he has to
| travel a considerable distance over land.
but fortunately does not have to cross any
| maths in these excursions, and he does not
| encounter visitors in the park The other
swan has never been tempted TO make
| the big lake her home, and Tim, toward
nightfall, always returns alone
Unlike most of the animals and birds
| Tim has not made friends with his keeper,
and when Donohoe goes out on the lake he
| always carries stout stick with which be
keeps Tim away from the boat.