CHAPTER XXV

AUDUBON'S LETTERPRESS AND ITS RIVALS

Settlement in London—Starts on canvassing tour with his wife—Change of plans—In Edinburgh—Discovery of MacGillivray—His hand in the _Ornithological Biography_—Rival editions of Wilson and Bonaparte—Brown's extraordinary _Atlas_—Reception of the _Biography_—Joseph Bartholomew Kidd and the Ornithological Gallery—In London again 437

ILLUSTRATIONS IN VOLUME I

Audubon. After a photograph of a cast of the intaglio cut by John C. King in 1844. Embossed medallion Cover

Audubon. After the engraving by C. Turner, A.R.A., of the miniature on ivory painted by Frederick Cruikshank about 1831; "London. Published Jan. 12, 1835, for the Proprietor [supposed to have been the engraver, but may have been Audubon or Havell], by Robert Havell, Printseller, 77, Oxford Street." Photogravure Frontispiece

PAGE Statue of Audubon by Edward Virginius Valentine in Audubon Park, New Orleans Facing 14

The Audubon Monument in Trinity Cemetery, New York, on Children's Day, June, 1915 Facing 14

Les Cayes, Haiti: the wharf and postoffice Facing 40

Les Cayes, Haiti: the market and Church of Sacré Cœur Facing 40

First page of the bill rendered by Dr. Sanson, of Les Cayes, Santo Domingo, to Jean Audubon for medical services from December 29, 1783, to October 19, 1785 Facing 54

Second page of the Sanson bill, bearing, in the entry for April 26, 1785, the only record known to exist of the date of Audubon's birth Facing 55

Third page of the Sanson bill, signed as accepted by Jean Audubon, October 12, 1786, and receipted by the doctor, when paid, June 7, 1787 Facing 59

Audubon's signature at various periods. From early drawings, legal documents and letters Facing 63

Lieutenant Jean Audubon and Anne Moynet Audubon. After portraits painted between 1801 and 1806, now at Couëron Facing 78

Jean Audubon. After a portrait painted by the American artist Polk, at Philadelphia, about 1789 Facing 78

Jean Audubon's signature. From a report to the Directory of his Department, when acting as Civil Commissioner, January to September, 1793 79

Certificate of Service which Lieutenant Audubon received upon his discharge from the French Navy, February 26, 1801 84

"Mill Grove" in 1835 (about). After a water-color painting by Charles Wetherill Facing 102

"Mill Grove," Audubon, Pennsylvania, as it appears to-day Facing 102

"Mill Grove" farmhouse, west front, as it appears to-day Facing 110

"Fatland Ford," Audubon, Pennsylvania, the girlhood home of Lucy Bakewell Audubon Facing 110

Early drawings of French birds, 1805, hitherto unpublished: the male Reed Bunting ("Sedge Sparrow"), and the male Redstart Facing 128

Receipt given by Captain Sammis of the _Polly_ to Audubon and Ferdinand Rozier for their passage money from Nantes to New York, May 28, 1806 134

"La Gerbetière," Jean Audubon's country villa at Couëron, France, and the naturalist's boyhood home Facing 136

"La Gerbetière" and Couëron, as seen from the highest point in the commune, windmill towers on the ridge overlooking Port Launay, on the Loire Facing 142

"La Gerbetière," as seen when approached from Couëron village by the road to Port Launay Facing 142

Port Launay on the Loire Facing 142

Beginning of the "Articles of Association" of John James Audubon and Ferdinand Rozier, signed at Nantes, March 23, 1806 Facing 146

First page of a power of attorney granted by Jean Audubon, Anne Moynet Audubon and Claude François Rozier to John James Audubon and Ferdinand Rozier, Nantes, April 4, 1806 Facing 152

Signatures of Jean Audubon, Anne Moynet Audubon, Dr. Chapelain and Dr. Charles d'Orbigny to a power of attorney granted to John James Audubon and Ferdinand Rozier, Couëron, November 20, 1806 Facing 153

Early drawings of French birds, 1805, hitherto unpublished: the European Crow, with detail of head of the Rook, and the White Wagtail Facing 174

Early drawing in crayon point of the groundhog, 1805, hitherto unpublished Facing 182

Water-color drawing of a young raccoon, 1841 Facing 182

Alexander Wilson Facing 212

William Bartram Facing 212

The "twin" Mississippi Kites of Wilson and Audubon, the similarity of which inspired charges of misappropriation against Audubon Facing 228

Audubon's signature to the release given to Ferdinand Rozier on the dissolution of their partnership in 1811 242

Ferdinand Rozier in his eighty-fifth year (1862) Facing 246

Rozier's old store at Ste. Geneviève, Kentucky Facing 246

Letter of Audubon to Ferdinand Rozier, signed "Audubon & Bakewell," and dated October 19, 1813, during the first partnership under this style Facing 246

Audubon's Mill at Henderson, Kentucky, since destroyed, as seen from the bank of the Ohio River Facing 254

An old street in the Couëron of today Facing 264

"Les Tourterelles," Couëron, final home of Anne Moynet Audubon, and the resting-place of exact records of the naturalist's birth and early life Facing 264

Early drawings of American birds, 1808-9, hitherto unpublished: the Belted Kingfisher and the Wild Pigeon Facing 292

Bayou Sara Landing, West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, at the junction of Bayou Sara and the Mississippi River Facing 314

Scene on Bayou Sara Creek, Audubon's hunting ground in 1821 Facing 314

Road leading from Bayou Sara Landing to the village of St. Francisville, West Feliciana Parish Facing 318

"Oakley," the James Pirrie plantation house near St. Francisville, where Audubon made some of his famous drawings while acting as a tutor in 1821 Facing 318

An early letter of Audubon to Edward Harris, written at Philadelphia, July 14, 1824 332

Note of Dr. Samuel Latham Mitchell, written hurriedly in pencil, recommending Audubon to his friend, Dr. Barnes, August 4, 1824 337

Crayon portrait of Miss Jennett Benedict, an example of Audubon's itinerant portraiture. After the original drawn by Audubon at Meadville, Pennsylvania, in 1824 Facing 342

Miss Eliza Pirrie, Audubon's pupil at "Oakley" in 1821. After an oil portrait Facing 342

Early drawing of the "Frog-eater," Cooper's Hawk, 1810, hitherto unpublished Facing 348

Pencil sketch of a "Shark, 7 feet long, off Cuba," from Audubon's Journal of his voyage to England in 1826 Facing 348

First page of Audubon's Journal of his voyage from New Orleans to Liverpool in 1826 Facing 349

Cock Turkey, _The Birds of America_, Plate I. After the original engraving by W. H. Lizars, retouched by Robert Havell. Color Facing 358

Title page of the original edition of _The Birds of America_, Volume II, 1831-1834 381

The Prothonotary Warbler plates, _The Birds of America_, Plate XI, bearing the legends of the engravers, W. H. Lizars and Robert Havell, Jr., but identical in every other detail of engraving Facing 384

Reverse of panels of Robert Havell's advertising folder reproduced on facing insert 386

Outside engraved panels of an advertising folder issued by Robert Havell about 1834. After the only original copy known to exist 386

Inside engraved panels of Robert Havell's advertising folder, showing the interior of the "Zoölogical Gallery," 77 Oxford Street Facing 387

Reverse of panels of Robert Havell's advertising folder, reproduced on facing insert 387

Title page of Audubon's Prospectus of _The Birds of America_ for 1831 391

English Pheasants surprised by a Spanish Dog. After a painting by Audubon in the American Museum of Natural History Facing 394

Letter of William Swainson to Audubon, May, 1828 402

Audubon. After an oil portrait, hitherto unpublished, painted about 1826 by W. H. Holmes Facing 412

Part of letter of Charles Lucien Bonaparte to Audubon, January 10, 1829 417

Mrs. Dickie's "Boarding Residence," 26 George Street, Edinburgh, where Audubon painted and wrote in 1826-27, and in 1830-31 Facing 438

The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia. After an old print Facing 438

Title page of the _Ornithological Biography_, Volume I 441

CHRONOLOGY

_1785_

_April 26._—Fougère, Jean Rabin, or Jean Jacques Fougère Audubon, born at Les Cayes, Santo Domingo, now Haiti.

_1789_

Fougère, at four years, and Muguet, his sister by adoption, at two, are taken by their father to the United States, and thence to France.

_1794_

_March 7 (17 ventose, an 2)._—Fougère, when nine years old, and Muguet at six, are legally adopted as the children of Jean Audubon and Anne Moynet, his wife.

_1800_

_October 23 (1 brumaire, an 9)._—Baptized, Jean Jacques Fougère, at Nantes, when in his sixteenth year.

_1802-1803_

Studies drawing for a brief period under Jacques Louis David, at Paris.

_1803_

First return to America, at eighteen, to learn English and enter trade: settles at "Mill Grove" farm, near Philadelphia, where he spends a year and begins his studies of American birds.

_1804_

_December 15._—Half-interest in "Mill Grove" acquired by Francis Dacosta, who begins to exploit its lead mine; he also acts as guardian to young Audubon, who becomes engaged to Lucy Green Bakewell; quarrel with Dacosta follows.

_1805_

_January 12-15_ (?).—Walks to New York, where Benjamin Bakewell supplies him with passage money to France.

_January 18_ (about).—Sails on the _Hope_ for Nantes, and arrives about March 18.

A year spent at "La Gerbetière," in Couëron, where he hunts birds with D'Orbigny and makes many drawings, and at Nantes, where plans are made for his return, with Ferdinand Rozier, to America.

_1806_

Enters the French navy at this time, or earlier, but soon withdraws.

_March 23._—A business partnership is arranged with Ferdinand Rozier, and Articles of Association are signed at Nantes.

_April 12._—Sails with Rozier on the _Polly_, Captain Sammis, and lands in New York on May 26.

They settle at "Mill Grove" farm, where they remain less than four months, meanwhile making unsuccessful attempts to operate the lead mine on the property.

_September 15._—Remaining half interest in "Mill Grove" farm and mine acquired by Francis Dacosta & Company, conditionally, the Audubons and Roziers holding a mortgage.

_1806-1807_

Serves as clerk in Benjamin Bakewell's commission house in New York, but continues his studies and drawings of birds, and works for Dr. Mitchell's Museum.

_1807_

With Rozier decides to embark in trade in Kentucky.

_August 1._—They purchase their first stock of goods in New York.

_August 31._—Starts with Rozier for Louisville, where they open a pioneer store.

Their business suffers from the Embargo Act.

_1808_

_June 12._—Married to Lucy Bakewell at "Fatland Ford," her father's farm near Philadelphia, and returns with his bride to Louisville.

_1809_

_June 12._—Victor Gifford Audubon born at Gwathway's hotel, the "Indian Queen," in Louisville.

_1810_

_March._—Alexander Wilson, pioneer ornithologist, visits Audubon at Louisville.

Moves down river with Rozier to Redbanks (Henderson), Kentucky.

_December._—Moves with Rozier again, and is held up by ice at the mouth of the Ohio and at the Great Bend of the Mississippi, where they spend the winter.

_1811_

Reaches Sainte Geneviève, Upper Louisiana (Missouri), in early spring.

_April 6._—Dissolves partnership with Rozier, and returns to Henderson afoot.

Joins in a commission business with his brother-in-law, Thomas W. Bakewell.

_December._—Meets Vincent Nolte when returning to Louisville from the East, and descends the Ohio in his flatboat.

_1812_

The _annus mirabilis_ in Kentucky, marked by a series of earthquakes, which begins December 16, 1811, and furnishes material for "Episodes."

Commission house of Audubon and Bakewell is opened by the latter in New Orleans, but is quickly suppressed by the war, which breaks out in June.

_Spring._—Starts a retail store, on his own account, at Henderson.

_November 30._—John Woodhouse Audubon, born at "Meadow Brook" farm, Dr. Adam Rankin's home near Henderson.

_1812-1813_

Storekeeping at Henderson, where he purchases four town lots and settles down.

_1816_

_March 16._—Enters into another partnership with Bakewell; planning to build a steam grist- and sawmill at Henderson, they lease land on the river front.

_1817_

Thomas W. Pears joins the partnership, and the steam mill, which later became famous, is erected. (After long disuse or conversion to other purposes, "Audubon's Mill" was finally burned to the ground on March 18, 1913.)

_1818_

_Summer._—Receives a visit from Constantine Samuel Rafinesque, who becomes the subject of certain practical jokes, at zoölogy's future expense, and figures in a later "Episode."

_1819_

After repeated change of partners, the mill enterprise fails, and Audubon goes to Louisville jail for debt; declares himself a bankrupt, and saves only his clothes, his drawings and gun. Resorts to doing crayon portraits at Shippingport and Louisville, where he is immediately successful.

_1819-1820_

At Cincinnati, to fill an appointment as taxidermist in the Western Museum, just founded by Dr. Daniel Drake; settles with his family and works three or four months, at a salary of $125 a month; then returns to portraits, and starts a drawing school.

_1820_

Decides to publish his "Ornithology," and all his activities are now directed to this end.

_October 12._—Leaves his family, and with Joseph R. Mason, as pupil-assistant, starts without funds on a long expedition down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, to New Orleans, hoping to visit Arkansas, and intending to explore the country for birds, while living by his talents: from this time keeps a regular journal and works systematically.

_1821_

_January 7._—Enters New Orleans with young Mason without enough money to pay for a night's lodging.

_February 17._—Sends his wife 20 drawings, including the famous Turkey Hen, Great-footed Hawk, and White-headed Eagle.

Obtains a few drawing pupils; is recommended by John Vanderlyn and Governor Robertson, but lives from hand to mouth until June 16, when Audubon and Mason leave for Shippingport; a fellow passenger, Mrs. James Pirrie, of West Feliciana, offers Audubon a position as tutor to her daughter, and with Mason he settles on her plantation at St. Francisville, Bayou Sara, where he remains nearly five months; some of his finest drawings are made at this time.

_October 21._—Leaves abruptly and returns with Mason to New Orleans, where he again becomes a drawing teacher, and resumes his studies of birds with even greater avidity.

_December._—Is joined by his family, and winter finds them in dire straits.

_1822_

_March 16._—To Natchez with Mason, paying their passage by doing portraits of the captain and his wife; while on the way finds that many of his drawings have been seriously damaged by gunpowder; teaches French, drawing and dancing at Natchez, and Washington, Mississippi.

_July 23._—Parts with Mason, after giving him his gun, paper and chalks, with which to work his way north.

_September._—Mrs. Audubon, who was acting as governess in a family at New Orleans, joins him at Natchez, where she obtains a similar position.

Receives his first lessons in the use of oils from John Stein, itinerant portrait painter, in Natchez, at close of this year.

_1823_

_January._—Mrs. Audubon is engaged by the Percys, of West Feliciana parish, Louisiana, and starts a private school at "Beechwoods," belonging to their plantation, in St. Francisville, where she remains five years.

_March._—Audubon leaves Natchez with John Stein and Victor on a painting tour of the South, but meeting with little success, they disband at New Orleans; visits his wife, and spends part of summer in teaching her pupils music and drawing.

Adrift again; both he and Victor are taken ill with fever at Natchez, but when nursed back to health by Mrs. Audubon, they return with her to "Beechwoods."

_September 30._—Determined to visit Philadelphia in the interests of his "Ornithology," he sends on his drawings and goes to New Orleans for references.

_October 3._—Starts with Victor for Louisville, walking part of the way.

_1823-1824_

Winter spent at Shippingport, where Victor becomes a clerk to his uncle, Nicholas A. Berthoud.

Paints portraits, panels on river boats, and even street signs, to earn a living.

_1824_

To Philadelphia, to find patrons or a publisher; thwarted; is advised to take his drawings to Europe, where the engraving could be done in superior style; befriended by Charles L. Bonaparte, Edward Harris, Richard Harlan, Mr. Fairman, and Thomas Sully, who gives him free tuition in oils.

_August 1._—Starts for New York, with letters to Gilbert Stuart, Washington Allston, and Samuel L. Mitchell; is kindly received and made a member of the Lyceum of Natural History.

_August 15._—To Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Meadville, and Pittsburgh, taking deck passage on boats, tramping, and paying his way by crayon portraits.

_September._—Leaves Pittsburgh on exploring tour of Lakes Ontario and Champlain for birds; decides on his future course.

_October 24._—Returns to Pittsburgh, and descends the Ohio in a skiff; is stranded without a cent at Cincinnati; visits Victor at Shippingport, and reaches his wife in St. Francisville, Bayou Sara, November 24.

_1825-1826_

Teaches at St. Francisville, and gives dancing lessons at Woodville, Mississippi, to raise funds to go to Europe.

_1826_

_May 17._—Sails with his drawings on the cotton schooner _Delos_, bound for Liverpool, where he lands, a total stranger, on July 21.

In less than a week is invited to exhibit his drawings at the Royal Institution, and is at once proclaimed as a great American genius.

Exhibits at Manchester, but with less success.

Plans to publish his drawings, to be called _The Birds of America_, in parts of five plates each, at 2 guineas a part, all to be engraved on copper, to the size of life, and colored after his originals. The number of parts was at first fixed at 80, and the period of publication at 14 years; eventually there were 87 parts, of 435 plates, representing over a thousand individual birds as well as thousands of American trees, shrubs, flowers, insects and other animals of the entire continent; the cost in England was £174, which was raised by the duties to $1,000 in America.

Paints animal pictures to pay his way, and opens a subscription book.

_October 26._—Reaches Edinburgh, where his pictures attract the attention of the ablest scientific and literary characters of the day, and he is patronized by the aristocracy.

_November, early._—William Home Lizars begins the engraving of his first plates at Edinburgh, and on the 28th, shows him the proof of the Turkey Cock.

Honors come to him rapidly, and he is soon elected to membership in the leading societies of science and the arts in Great Britain, France and the United States.

_1827_

_February 3._—Exhibits the first number of his engraved plates at the Royal Institution of Edinburgh.

_March 17._—Issues his "Prospectus," when two numbers of his _Birds_ are ready.

_April 5._—Starts for London with numerous letters to distinguished characters and obtains subscriptions on the way.

_May 21._—Reaches London, and exhibits his plates before the Linnæan and Royal Societies, which later elect him to fellowship.

Lizars throws up the work after engraving ten plates, and it is transferred to London, where, in the hands of Robert Havell, Junior, it is new born and brought to successful completion eleven years later.

_Summer._—Affairs at a crisis; resorts to painting and canvasses the larger cities.

_December._—Five parts, or twenty-five plates, of _The Birds of America_ completed.

_1828_

_March._—Visits Cambridge and Oxford Universities; though well received, is disappointed at the number of subscribers secured, especially at Oxford.

_September 1._—To Paris with William Swainson; remains eight weeks, and obtains 13 subscribers; his work is eulogized by Cuvier before the Academy of Natural Sciences, and he receives the personal subscription, as well as private commissions, from the Duke of Orleans, afterwards known as Louis Philippe.

_1829_

_April 1._—Sails from Portsmouth on his first return to America from England, for New York, where he lands on May 1.

_Summer._—Drawing birds at Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey.

_September._—To Mauch Chunk, and paints for six weeks at a lumberman's cottage in the Great Pine Woods.

_October._—Down the Ohio to Louisville, where he meets his two sons, one of whom he had not seen for five years; thence to St. Francisville, Bayou Sara, where he joins his wife, from whom he had been absent nearly three years.

_1830_

_January 1._—Starts with his wife for Europe, first visiting New Orleans, Louisville, Cincinnati, Baltimore, and Washington, where he meets the President, Andrew Jackson, and is befriended by Edward Everett, who becomes one of his first American subscribers.

_April 1._—Sails with Mrs. Audubon from New York for Liverpool. Settles in London; takes his seat in the Royal Society, to which he was elected on the 19th of March; resumes his painting, and in midsummer starts with his wife on a canvassing tour of the provincial towns; invites William Swainson to assist him in editing his letterpress, but a disagreement follows.

Changes his plans, and settles again in Edinburgh; meets William MacGillivray, who undertakes to assist him with his manuscript, and together they begin the first volume of the _Ornithological Biography_ in October.

_1831-1839_

The _Ornithological Biography_, in five volumes, published at Edinburgh, and partly reissued in Philadelphia and Boston.

_1831-1834_

In America, exploring the North and South Atlantic coasts for birds.

_1831_

_March._—First volume of the _Ornithological Biography_ published, representing the text of the first 100 double-elephant folio plates.

_April 15._—Returns with his wife to London.

_May-July._—Visits Paris again in the interests of his publications.

_August 2._—Starts with his wife on his second journey from England to America, and lands in New York on September 4.

Plans to visit Florida with two assistants, and obtains promise of aid from the Government.

_October-November._—At Charleston, South Carolina, where he meets John Bachman and is taken into his home.

_November 15._—Sails with his assistants in the government schooner _Agnes_ for St. Augustine.

_1832_

_April 15._—In revenue cutter _Marion_ begins exploration of the east coast of Florida; proceeds to Key West, and later returns to Savannah and Charleston.

Rejoins his family at Philadelphia, and goes to Boston; there meets Dr. George Parkman, and makes many friends.

_August._—Explores the coasts of Maine and New Brunswick, and ascends the St. John River for birds.

Returns to Boston, and sends his son Victor to England to take charge of his publications.

_1832-1833_

_Winter._—In Boston, where he is attacked by a severe illness induced by overwork; quickly recovers and plans expedition to Labrador.

_1833_

_June 6._—Sails from Eastport for the Labrador with five assistants, including his son, John Woodhouse Audubon, in the schooner _Ripley_ chartered at his own expense.

_August 31._—Returns to Eastport laden with spoils, including few new birds but many drawings.

_September 7._—Reaches New York and plans an expedition to Florida.

_September 25._—Visits Philadelphia and is arrested for debt, an echo of his business ventures in Kentucky; obtains subscribers at Baltimore, and in Washington meets Washington Irving, who assists him in obtaining government aid; finds patrons at Richmond and at Columbia, South Carolina.

_October 24._—Reaches Charleston and changes his plans; with his wife and son passes the winter at the Bachman home, engaged in hunting, drawing and writing.

_1834_

The number of his American subscribers reaches 62.

_April 16._—Sails with his wife and son on the packet _North America_ from New York to England with large collections.

Settles again in Edinburgh, and begins second volume of his _Biography_, which is published in December.

_1835_

Many drawings, papers and books lost by fire in New York.

Part of summer, autumn and winter in Edinburgh, where the third volume of his _Ornithological Biography_ is issued in December.

_1836_

Audubon's two sons, who have become his assistants, tour the Continent for five months, traveling and painting.

_August 2._—Sails from Portsmouth on his third journey from England to the United States; lands in New York on Sept. 6 and canvasses the city.

_September 13._—Hurries to Philadelphia to obtain access to the Nuttall-Townsend collection of birds, recently brought from the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Coast; is rebuffed, and bitter rivalries ensue; Edward Harris offers to buy the collection outright for his benefit.

_September 20._—Starts on a canvassing tour to Boston, where he meets many prominent characters, and obtains a letter of commendation from Daniel Webster, who writes his name in his subscription book. Visits Salem, where subscribers are also obtained; meets Thomas M. Brewer, and Thomas Nuttall, who offers him his new birds brought from the West.

_October 10._—Is visited by Washington Irving, who gives him letters to President Van Buren and recommends his work to national patronage.

_October 15._—Returns to Philadelphia, where attempts to obtain permission to describe the new birds in the Nuttall-Townsend collection are renewed; he is finally permitted to purchase duplicates and describe the new forms under certain conditions.

_November 10._—To Washington, to present his credentials, and is promised government aid for the projected journey to Florida and Texas.

_1836-1837_

_Winter._—Spent with Bachman at Charleston, in waiting for his promised vessel; makes drawings of Nuttall's and Townsend's birds, and plans for a work on the _Quadrupeds of North America_.

_1837_

_Spring._—Starts overland with Edward Harris and John W. Audubon for New Orleans; there meets the revenue cutter _Campbell_, and in her and her tender, the _Crusader_, the party proceeds as far as Galveston, Texas; visits President Sam Houston.

_May 18._—Leaves for New Orleans, and on June 8 reaches Charleston. John Woodhouse Audubon is married to Bachman's eldest daughter, Maria Rebecca.

To Washington, and meets President Martin Van Buren.

_July 16._—Sails with his son and daughter-in-law on the packet _England_ from New York; reaches Liverpool on August 2d, and on the 7th is in London.

The panic of this year causes loss of many subscribers, but Audubon decides to extend _The Birds of America_ to 87 parts, in order to admit every new American bird discovered up to that time.

_1838_

_June 20._—Eighty-seventh part of _The Birds of America_ published, thus completing the fourth volume and concluding the work, which was begun at Edinburgh in the autumn of 1826.

_Summer._—By way of a holiday celebration tours the Highlands of Scotland with his family and William MacGillivray.

_Autumn._—To Edinburgh, where, with the assistance of MacGillivray, the fourth volume of his _Biography_ is issued in November.

_1839_

_May._—Fifth and concluding volume of the _Ornithological Biography_ is published at Edinburgh. _A Synopsis of the Birds of North America_, which immediately follows, brings his European life and labors to a close.

_Late summer._—Returns with his family to New York, and settles at 86 White Street. Victor, who preceded his father to America, is married to Mary Eliza Bachman.

Projects at once a small or "miniature" edition of his _Ornithology_, and begins work on the _Quadrupeds_. Collaboration of Bachman in this project is later secured.

_1840-1844_

First octavo edition of _The Birds of America_ is published at Philadelphia, in seven volumes, with lithographic, colored plates and meets with unprecedented success; issued to subscribers in 100 parts, of five plates each with text, at one dollar a part.

_1840_

_June._—Begins a correspondence with young Spencer F. Baird, which leads to an intimate friendship of great mutual benefit, Baird discovering new birds and sending him many specimens.

_1841_

Purchases land on the Hudson, in Carmansville, at the present 157th Street, and begins to build a house.

_July 29._—Writes to Spencer F. Baird that he was then as anxious about the publication of the _Quadrupeds_ as he ever was about procuring birds.

_1842_

_April._—Occupies his estate, now included in the realty section of upper New York City called Audubon Park, which he deeded to his wife and named for her "Minnie's Land."

_September 12._—Starts on a canvassing tour of Canada, going as far north as Quebec, and returns well pleased with his success, after spending a month and traveling 1,500 miles.

Plans for his western journey nearly completed.

_1843_

_March 11._—At fifty-eight, sets out with four companions for the region of the Upper Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, but is unable to attain his long desired goal, the Rocky Mountains.

_November._—Returns with many new birds and mammals.

_1845-1846_

_The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America_, in collaboration with the Rev. John Bachman, issued to subscribers in 30 parts of five plates each, without letterpress, making two volumes, imperial folio, at $300.00.

John W. Audubon, traveling in Texas, to collect materials for his father's work.

_1845_

Engrossed with drawings of the _Quadrupeds_, in which he receives efficient aid from his sons.

_July 19._—Copper plates of _The Birds of America_ injured by fire in New York.

_December 24._—Bachman, his collaborator, issues ultimatum through Harris, but work on the _Quadrupeds_, which had come to a stand, is resumed.

_1846-1847_

John W. Audubon in England, painting subjects for the illustration of the _Quadrupeds of North America_.

_1846-1854_

_The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America_, in collaboration with John Bachman, published in three volumes, octavo, text only, by J. J. and V. G. Audubon; volume i (1847) only appeared during the naturalist's lifetime.

_1847_

Audubon's powers begin to weaken and rapidly fail.

_1848_

_February 8._—John W. Audubon joins a California company organized by Colonel James Watson Webb, and starts for the gold fields, but his party meets disaster in the valley of the Rio Grande; he leads a remnant to their destination and returns in the following year.

_1851_

_January 27._—Jean Jacques Fougère Audubon dies at "Minnie's Land," before completing his sixty-sixth year.

AUDUBON THE NATURALIST

_Nothing extenuate, Nor set down aught in malice_....

SHAKESPEARE, _Othello_ to his biographers.

_Time, whose tooth gnaws away everything else, is powerless against truth._

HUXLEY.

_What a curious, interesting book, a biographer, well acquainted with my life, could write; it is still more wonderful and extraordinary than that of my father._

AUDUBON, in letter to his wife, March 12, 1828.

AUDUBON THE NATURALIST