The tidal movement in the two estuaries of North and East rivers, around its rocky shores, probably provided good opportunity for the spearing and netting of the swarming inhabitants of the waters, and from the nearby shores of New Jersey and of Long Island abundant supplies of oysters could be obtained by canoe. Chiefly by INDIAN PATHS such food and by the product of trade, native stations were undoubtedly supported.

The most important situation for such occupancy was at the southern end of the island. Unfortunately no record was made of its existence. But the common traces of native residence were observed in later times under the shelter of the eminence known to the Dutch as the Kalch Hoek (2), at which place there was the most abundant supply of fresh water in the locality, provided by the springs which filled the "Fresh Water" pond occupying the low ground now traversed by Center street.

Around this sheltered spot, discarded oyster-shells, the unfailing sign of local aboriginal occupancy, were at one time observable in great abundance.1 About this site there also spread tracts of cultivable land.