The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-08-19
miscellaneous.
For the AgiS anu IateNigenceT.
GUNPOWDER NECK.
Position and Extent. Pro-
ductIOns. Natural and Collateral.

That portion of Hartford county lying east
of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Balti.
more railroad, and embraced between the
Gunpowder and Bush rivers, constitutes the
section of country known as Gunpowder
Neck 1t is about six miles wide, on the line
of the railroad and extends about ten miles
in an opposite direction, irregularly diminish
ing and jutting out into Chesapeake bay
Directly in front of its extreme point, about n
half mile distant, POOLS island is situated,
upon which there is a United States light
house. This island some years ago, present.
ed very animated scene in contrast with
its usual quiet and serene aspect. A large
number of those gentry skilled in the manly
art of self.defence, assembled here to witness
the scientific manner in which Tom Hyer and
Yankee Sullivan drew the claret and closed
each others peppers.
The area of Gunpowder Neck is about fif-
teen thousand acres-a large portion ofwhich
is tillable or wood land, susceptible of being
brought under cultivation. Its water fronts
or shores are between twenty and thirty
miles In extent, with numerous coves, es
tuaries and creeks penetrating it. The lat.
ter generally terminate in marsh. The face
of the country is undulating, and although
there are no abrup hills, some portions are
COISlupTdDly tltNdtctl, anu WIFI lew CACeD-
ton all the farming lands are sufficiently roll
ing to afford natural drainage The soil is
naturally fertile, generally ola loamy charac-
ter and easily cultivated; and no doubt with
liberal treatment it would produce equally
as abundant as any land in the State, parti-
cularly that class of vegetation requiring a
vigorous and rapid growth Although there
have been some fine crops of wheat produced,
yet as general thing the natural texture and
components of the soil are better adapted for
corn Vegetables ofall kinds grow luXuriant-
ly and in great perfection Fruits ofal kinds,
Indigenous to the temperate zone, and some
of a semi-tropical nature, also flourish and
mature in perfection
In addition to the abundant productions of
the land the waters adjacent are teeming with
the necessaries and luXures of life. | do not
think there is a section of country anywhere
of no greater extent, that can equal it in
abundance and variety ofluXuries. Here the
the appetite of all can be amply satisfied, from
the ahstemious taste of the anchorite to the
delicate palate of the most fastidious epicure.
1t would be futile to attempt Il detailed de-
scription of the numerous and delicious fruits
and vegetables produced on the land or the
innumerabe quantities and varieties of fish
and aquatic fowl in the waters contiguous
Those who witness the animated scene upon
the adjacent waters at the periodical advent
of the countless schools of fish, or the i'm
mense flocks ofwater fowl, are impressed
with the fact that nature has lavished her
luxuries here with a bountiful hand.
Some of the prominent species of game
which abound and luxuriate in Gunpowder
Neck are the partridge, the snipe, and the
woodcock which feed and live entirely on
the land The ortolan or reed bird the rail,
which may be called amphibous, as it feeds
entirely in the swamps. Although quite nu,
merous you can never see them without pcnc-
trating their haunts and forcing them from
cover. They are said to be the finest flavor
ed among game birds. The different species
of ducks which annually migrate to this pen.
nsula are numerous. The waters abound
with variety of aquatic plants suitable TO
the nature and habits of each class, some OF
which obtain their food in shallow water in
| the creeks and estuaries, near the shore, and
do not dive beneath the surface. Among
these are the blue wing, a small, but beauti-
| full and delicious fowl, and the first to arrive
the gray malard, the widgeon, the teal, the
| bald pate, and many Others Swan and wild
geese feed in the same manner and are very
numerous around the bay shore. Among
| the divers or those which obtain their feed
at the bottom of deep water, the canvass back
| stands at the head of the list. Immense fiocks
may be seen busily feeding on the Gunpow.
der, where they obtain the ribbon grass OF
wild celery, which imparts that peculiar and
satisfactory flavor their flesh which has given
| them world wide reputation. When a large
flock are engaged in feeding, on calm night
the noise and roar produced resembles the
sound made by an advancing steamer. The
red head is also very choice fowl, second
only in point of flavor to the canvass back
and perhaps the most numerous of the aqua
tic class which feed in these waters. The
black head comes next, of which there are
two kinds the river and the creek-either Of
which would not be sneered at by reasona
| BILE epicure These are also numbers of the
coot, swift as q bullet on the wing, and one
| of the most expert divers that exists. 1t il
| said to feed on grass similar to that of the
canvass back. At any rate it has similar
| flavor.
i'll should attempt to describe in detail
the names with the nature and habits of al
the different species of water fowl which in
habit or migrate to this section it would fill 0
large volume. For great deal of informa
ton on this subject am indebted TO Mr.
Edward Lynch, who has resided at Maxwelrs
Point, "a celebrated place for waterfowl,
about twenty-five years. He has made this
branch of ornithology his particular study
and is perfectly familiar with the nature and
habits of all the various species. In addition
to his knowledge Of this branch of ornitholo
gy, he is marksman of consummate skill, anC
II would he difficult task to find his equal
He is over six feet in height and picture Of
activity and strength