iv Introduction, 



Audubon, pronounced by Baron Cuvier to be " the most splen- 

 did monuments which art has erected in honor of ornithology. " 

 He was an admirable specimen of the Hero as a man of 

 science. To quote an eloquent writer: *' For sixty years or 

 more he followed, with more than religious devotion, a beautiful 

 and elevated pursuit, enlarging its boundaries by his discov- 

 eries, and illustrating its objects by his art. In all climates 

 and in all weathers ; scorched by burning suns, drenched by 

 piercing rains, frozen by the fiercest colds ; now diving fear- 

 lessly into the densest forest, now wandering alone over the 

 most savage regions ; in perils, in difficulties, and in doubts ; 

 with no companion to cheer his way, far from the smiles and 

 applause of society ; listening only to the sweet music of birds, 

 or to the sweeter music of his own thoughts, he faithfully kept 

 his path. The records of man's life contain few nobler ex- 

 amples of strength of purpose and indefatigable energy. Led 

 on solely by his pure, lofty, kindling enthusiasm, no thirst for 

 wealth, no desire of distinction, no restless ambition of ec- 

 centric character, could have induced him to undergo as many 

 sacrifices, or sustained him under so many trials. Higher 

 principles and worthier motives alone enabled him to meet 

 such discouragements and accomplish such miracles of 

 achievement. He has enlarged and enriched the domains of 

 a pleasing and useful science ; he has revealed to us the ex- 

 istence of many species of birds before unknown ; he has 

 pfiven us more accurate information of the forms and habits 



o 



of those that were known ; he has corrected the blunders of 

 his predecessors ; and he has imparted to the study of natu- 

 ral history the grace and fascination of romance." 



Of the man himself, Christopher North said, after speak- 

 ing lovingly and appreciatively of him, " He is the greatest 

 Artist in his own walk, that ever lived." The love of his vo- 

 cation, after innumerable trials, successes and disappointments 

 gave the lie to the Quo Jit Maccejias of Horace, and was to the 

 end of his long life most intense. Neither his friends. Sir Wal- 

 ter Scott, or John Wilson, notably happy as they were in their 

 home relations occupied a place in the domestic circle of hus- 

 band and father, with a more beautiful display of kind, enno- 

 bling, and generous devotion, than John James Audubon ; and 



