The Washington herald., 1909-04-18
DEATH TO SWANS.
How a Great Flock Were swept
Over Niagara Fails

How n Great Flock Were swept
Over Niasars Falls
From Forest and Stream
All naturalists and many sportsmen VIII
recall the great destruction o. swans
which took place last March at Niagara
Falls. A great sock OF these large and
beautiful birds was carried down the
river and over the falls. and an authori-
tative account of the occurrence recently
appeared in a paper by James savage. Of
Buffalo, \. Y, printed in the bulletin Of
the Buffalo Society OF Natural History.
While the whistling swan occurs regu-
larry along the Niagara River. it Is al
ways a rare migrant. and would scarcely
ever be captured We're II not for the fact
that IL often floats down the river 10 IN
jury or death AT the great cataract. OBJ
servers declare that scarcely a year
passes without one OF more swans going
over the fails. About twenty made the
fatal plunge In March, 1906. and I'VE in
the same month. 1897. but no such de-
struction OF swans has been known as
took place March IS 1893, when more
than 100 were destroyed.
During the greater part OF the day
severe rainstorm prevailed. About II
O. clock in the morning. between showers,
William Ieblond. Of Niagara Falls. on
tario. was engaged in removing from the
ice bridge a temporary structure tha: had
been used during the winter season as
souvenir and refreshment stand, when he
was startled BY a loud cry. Turning
around. his attention was first attracted
10 a swan struggling in the water at the
upper edge OF the ice bridge. but on
looking toward the falls he saw a great
company Of swans in distress coming to
ward the bridge. The scene that fol-
lowed was a sad one for any bird-lOver
70 contemplate.
These splendid birds. helpless after
their terriblue plunge over the. cataract,
were dashed against the ice bridge by
the swift current amid cakes of loose
ice. which were constantly coming down
from the upper river. Some had been
killed outright by the falls. Others. un-
able 70 fly. because OF injury 10 their
wings. attempted 20 stem the rushing
waters. but here their wonderful swim
ming powers were Of no avail They
were soon imprisoned in the ice. where
their pitiful cries were heartrending.
The game laws Of Ontario still permit
the taking Of geese and swan in the
spring until April 81. and II was not long
before men and boys. armed with guns
and sticks. availed themselves Of the priv
nege and became the chief factors in the
closing scene OF natures great tragedy
the sacrifice % the swans
As soon as he learned Of the occur
renee. Mr.. Savage visited Niagara Falls,
and from his investigation concluded that
the number Of swans taken March Is
was 102 on the morning Of March IS two
more were taken at the ice bridge. and
third was picked up alive on tho shore.
Il was secured by Mr.. Savage and pho
tographed. Placed IN the geological col
lection in Delaware Park. Buffalo. It re-
covered Eleven more swans were taken
later, and some others were seen which,
though apparently carried over the falls.
we're still able 70 take wing and ny
away.
Mr.. Savage quotes J. L Davidson's pa
per on the Birds of Niagara County"
published nearly twenty years ago in
Forest aud Stream. which contains refer
ence 70 injured swans in waters near
Niagara Falls.
But swans are not the only waterfowl
that are in danger from Niagara On
March IS. 1865. Afr. Savage saw a hand
some male canvasback come down
against the Ice bridge. II appeared TO be
unable to fly. On the same day he saw
q goldeneye duck struggle out OF the