The valleys from the south and southwest come together here by the subsidence of the intervening ridges. The Indians in considerable numbers would start in the early morning many miles away, and would " beat the bush " with hideous yells, working in the direction of the trap, while parties ran along the ridges on the right and left to prevent lateral escapes, and thus they drove before them the game of every description until they came to the wings of the trap, which led everything into the inclosure. Then the entrance was closed and all secured. In this way great numbers of deer and other game were taken.

Important as were the food supplies obtained from the forests and streams, they were greatly increased by those from the surrounding waters. The Hudson River and the Sound make the situation of the county a remarkable one. These waters teemed with fish, which furnished the attraction to the villagers living upon their shores. In seasons of abundance, like the

running of the shad in the spring-time, quantities of fish were dried and smoked, and thus preserved for future use. Shell-fish were extensively used. Along the Sound the numerous shell-heaps attested the Indians' appreciation of the oyster. These shell-heaps resemble those of European countries, which, with the " kitchen-middens," have received so much attention from archaeologists. So extensive were these shell-heaps upon City Island, now forming part of the township of Pelham, that they gave to the surrounding waters the name of "the great bay of the island of shells." Similar heaps were found upon Berrian's Neck, in the township of Yonkers, and at the various village sites along the Hudson. The largest of these were upon Croton Point, where considerable areas are still covered with them to the depth of two or three feet.