The Washington times., 1901-07-10

Her PIaintive Calling Attracted the
Attention of Fish Commission EN-
PIoyes-The Bird Said to Have Been
Seen in Iowa Circle Northwest.
The big black African swan, which ex-
Representative Reyburn of Pennsylvania
purchased, but has not yet received. ow-
ing to it's escape from the carp ponds back
of the Monument on last Saturday night
has at last been located on the flats near
the Bathing Beach, and Mr.. Schmid, the
bird man. who sold the fowl to Mr. Rey-
burn, will draw the net around her today.
The proud bird from Africa, which en-
joyed freedom for SO short time, is a
victim of love, and but for the fact that
she could not remain away from her
mate. she would now, doubtless. be many
miles away in the cold, pleasant climate
of Canada, where birGs fly when the
thermometer goes up. Monday night the
swan returned to the neighborhood of the
lakes in the Monument Grounds and
called repeatedly for her consort. The
male bird, however, would not listen to
the call, or, if he listened and heard it,
he evidently did not think enough of his
wife to seek her and accompany her to
the north. Yesterday morning he was still
swimming contentedly about his pond, ap-
parently satisfied and happy. Mr.. Schmid
thinks that they are not happily mated.
II this is not So the bird man says. the
male swan has shown the white feather
decidedly, in spite of his coal black plum
age. A gallant bird, he said, would have
joined his partner, whatever the conse-
quences.
Early yesterday morning the men en-
ployed at the Babcock Lakes, used for
h=aa 1ffauy
sion, heard the peculiar call of a swan
somewhere in the vicinity and made a
search of the surrounding fats, but with
out obtaining glimpse of the rare bird
The bird was whistling for her mate, and
just before daylight she came up quite
close to the lake in which her consort
was asleep, with his head under his wing
and made desperate efforts in the swan
language to induce him to fly with her
The watchmen in the Monument Grounds
would have been glad to capture the bird
for Mr.. Schmid has offered So to the per-
son who catches the truant Besides.
swan hunting is a pastime not often in
dulged in by the majority of persons, and
the watchmen would have traversed half
the swamp surrounding the city Just for
the sport.
The bird also paid visit to the very
centre of Washington early Monday night
and roasted comfortably. undisturbed, in
one of the public parks She was seen
In Iowa Circle about o'clock in the
evening and several attempts were made
to capture her after she was sighted. The
discovery of the handsome fowl caused
considerable confusion In that part of
the city.
Policeman Wright on his way to Alex
lit.
those who saw the swan in Iowa Circle.
He read in The Times of the escape of
the fine bird and when he arrived at Alex
andria he informed the Police Department
by telephone. Mr. Schmid was irnme-
diately acquainted with the fact and a
force of men were sent securing the city.
Mr.. Green. who is in charge of the carp
ponds, also sent word that the swan had
been heard near the lakes early in the
morning. and the entire force Of bird men
and watchmen began to search the fats.
A party of men took boats at the Bath
ing Beach and crossed over TO the fats
west of the basin. The bird was heard.
but she kept out OF the way and was not
seen. Mr.. Schmid. who accompanied the
party, then observed a black spot in the
water near the neck of the big ba sin and
declared that it was his swan. Great care
was observed as the rowers approached
the place, and not a sound was made. The
black spot grew larger and larger and
the men painted with excitement feeling
sure that the moment of capture was near
at hand. They had heavy nets in which
to snare the bird and as they rowed close
TO the object in the water they threw il
at the black spot and hauled eagerly
away.
AS they pulled the net toward the boat
the occupants we're alarmed by the shouts
of distress which rose from the water.
followed by the shining head of a darky
who had bee:I bathing surreptitiously In
the tidal basin. The colored man was
tangled in the net and frightened almost
out OF his senses. For a moment II looked
as though the man would be drowned. He
thought the police were after him and
Mr.. Schmid had his hands full making ex-
plantations.
Last night Mr.. Schmid's employees, as
sisted by the watchmen at the lakes, To-
Gated the swan in the marsh across the
basin from the Bathing Beach and prep
arations were made for her capture at
daylight.