THE PARKS 59 



Over the Hutchinson River, which perpetuates the memory of 

 the fateful religious reformer in this region, is the Pelham Bridge, 

 constructed in 1908. This bridge replaced an older one built in 

 1870, which was itself a successor to one erected in 1834. The Pel- 

 ham Bridge has been famous for the large fish that have been 

 caught from it, ranging in weight from twenty to sixty-three 

 pounds. 



The famous old chestnut tree, under whose spreading branches 

 Lord Howe and his officers had their luncheon just before the 

 battle of White Plains, is still standing in a wooded dell north of 

 Eastchester. 



The region at one time abounded in wild animals. Within two 

 centuries, wolves were a great pest in this neighborhood. The 

 Provincial Assembly enacted that in the County of Westchester 

 twenty shillings (about $5) should be paid for a grown wolf killed 

 by a Christian, and ten shillings ($2.50) for one killed by an 

 Indian, and half that sum respectively for a whelp. The remains 

 of wolf-pits were, up to recently, to be seen not far from Pelham 

 Park. Besides the deer, the wild turkey existed in great numbers 

 on the verge of the forest. It is said that flocks of them used to 

 fly from the ridge west of Van Cortlandt Park across Tippet's 

 Brook to a hill east of this little stream. The flight was always 

 begun by a large black cock, and was made at sunset. The leader 

 gave the note and the flock were at once on the wing. 



Beavers were very common on the Bronx River. The last of 

 them were seen there about 1790. It is said they at one time changed 

 the course of the river by a dam. If the current was feeble, they 

 saved themselves trouble by building the dam straight across ; but, 

 if it was strong, they built the dam in a convex shape, so as to 

 resist the strength of the water. It was, therefore, possible to 

 tell the force of a stream by the shape of the beaver dams. 



Van Cortlandt Park, a botanical reservation, is situated in 

 Northwest Bronx and is the second largest in the Borough. On 

 account of its accessibility it is much further advanced in its 

 development and is more generally used than Pelham Bay Park. 

 Its smooth 150-acre parade ground, hemmed in on three sides by 

 rugged hills and picturesque landscapes, makes a very impressive 

 scene. On this green sward the National Guardsmen in summer 

 fight their sham battles and hold their dress parades. The field 



