The Washington times., 1901-07-09
THE RIVERS BLACK SWAN.
Sight of Rare Bird Causes Con-
sternation on the Potomac.

The Fowl n Valuable African One
Lately Imported - EScnped From
Captivity, Leaving Mate behind
owned by an Ex-Representat9ve
Ex-Represertative John E. Reyburn of
PENNSYLVANIA has just lost a very valua-
bic black African swan. worth $50. and
MT Schmid. the bird man on Twelfth
street. who sold it to him only a few
days ago. assisted by q corps of assist
ants. is searching for the handsome fowl
along the fats from the Eastern Branch
to Little Falls.
The swan escaped late Friday night
from the carp pond back of the Monu-
ment, where it was being kept. together
with eight others, also owned by Mr.
schmid. Only once since then has the
Dig bird been. sighted party of local
hshermen, angling in the upper Potomac
near the Chain Bridge, on Sunday wit
messed the unusual spectacle of a huge
black bird enjoying itself in the river and
diving for grasses near the Virginia
bank. Fishing was Immediately suspend
ed for the time being and everybody en-
deavored to capture the bird but without
success. The swan escaped into the
woods above Georgetown and siace then
no sight of 1t has been obtained
The news that swan was feeding in
the vicinity of Washington caused in
tense excitement among local gunners
when the news became known in the city
yesterday and amateur and professional
hunters prepared to capture the prize.
When it was learned that the bird was a
tame one there was great disappointment
felt. Mr.. Schmid is afraid that Virginia
farmer boys may shoot the bird and he is
making active endeavors to regain pos
session of it,
The bird is female of more than the
average beauty. 1t is thought that she
has absented herself in order to niake
nest and lay her eggs, after the custom
OF swans at this time in the year If
this is true it will probably be some time
before she is recovered, although Mr.
Schmid believes that he will ultimately
capture her.
Some time ago Mr.. Reyburn contra cted
with Mr.. Schmid for two black African
swans He intended taking them in
few days to his summer home in Florida,
where he owns an island. already stocked
with many valuable birds. Last year he
purchased several white swans. of a com
moner variety, from the local bird fan
cier, but the natives near his Southern
residence thought the breed was poor and
shot them. This season he determined to
obtain a much handsomer pair of fowls
MIR. Schmid obtant5I@ them especially
for the ex-Representative from the Ma
tiOnal Geological Gardens at Brussels
Belgium. The birds arrived a short time
ago. They are two of the finest tfrican
swans in captivity, and were imported
direct from the West coast. Mr. Rey-
burn paid 800 for the pair, a male and
female.
When they arrived in Washington a
short time ago Mr. Schmid made ar
rangements with the Fish Commission
whereby he was able TO keep them on
the carp ponds, known as the Babcock
Lakes. back OF the White Lot, until Mr..
Reyburn should be ready to receive them.
Arrangements have not been completed
at his Florida home, and the birds were
accordingly kept longer than was at first
intended. The wings of the two birds
we're partially clipped, and it was thought
that they could not regain their freedom.
Mr.. SchInid was very much surprised
when he learned that the female bird
had disappeared on Friday night.
Saturday morning the search was be-
gun. The fats south of the city were
gone over carefully, but no trace of the
tioH is that the bird crossed the small
lakes to the Basin, near the Bathing
Beach. ana that she escaped in that Gi-
rection into the main channel Of the
river. Mr.. Schmid hopes to recover her
If the bird is not shjt by some careless
sportsman.
The male swan did not leave when his
mate escaped. 1t is possible, according
to Mr.. Schmid. that he may call the
bird back within Il few DAYS. Sever.
white swans, worth from $50 TO $50 each.
have been confined at the carp ponds for
several months past, where, they have
attracted considerable attention. So far
this is the first time that one of the birds
has atteTnDted to eScaDg.