On the Westchester shore high woods cover the sides of undulating hills, while here and there rich meadows form a gradual and beautiful descent to the water's edge. The opposite banks are abruptly terminated with rocky declivities, and present by their greater boldness a fine contrast. These waters afford an agreeable haunt to the king fisher, " the most celebrated and besung of all other birds says Aldrovand," likewise to the heron and fish hawk.

a Heath's Mem, 223. b Heath's Mem. 337.

Vol. n. 43

WHITE PLAINS.

The half-shire town of the eounty Js situated lvveuty-ei2:ht miles from New York, one hundred and thiity-one south of Albany, six miles ea«t of the Hudson, and fourteen south of Bedford^ tlie other half-shire town ; bound- G'^<=^ ^^^'^^'' ^*>"e P'^^'n^-

ed northerly by North Castle, eastwardly by Harrison, southerly by Scarsdale, and west by Greeuburgh. The river Bronx runs south along the west line, and the Mamaroneck river along the east, forming the boundary towards Harrison township. The whole area of this town may be eight and a half square miles. a-

White Plains originally formed a portion of the town of Rye, and derived its name from the White Balsam, (Gnaphalium^ Polycephalum of Linnaeus,) which still grows in great abundance in and around the plains.

It was called Qnaroppas by the Indians, under whom these lands must have formed a portion of the ancient domains of Weckquaskeck, as we find Shapham, or Thapham, one of the sachems of that place, conjointly selling lands here to the inhabitants of the town of Rye in 16S3.