WHERE RUNS THE TIDE. 209 



fined to the sea-coast, wandered up the river to the 

 head of its tidal flow. Earlier books concerning 

 this region make mention of this, but the all-con- 

 vincing evidence comes from another source. Re- 

 cent explorations of village sites of the one-time 

 Delaware Indians have disclosed the fact that cur- 

 lews and all the larger species once penetrated this 

 far inland and found congenial homes where at 

 present they are never seen ; and with them came 

 many a swimming bird that now seldom leaves the 

 bay. In the ashes of camp-fires that have been cold 

 for centuries are still preserved unmistakable evi- 

 dences of the presence in Indian times of many a 

 wild bird that, wandering along the river-shore, or 

 venturing up the valleys of the larger creeks, gave 

 to this country now almost desolate at times a 

 charm that the rambler seeks in vain while strolling 

 along the sandy beach of Duck Island, where runs 

 the tide. 



18* 



