xxxvi AUDUBON THE NATURALIST 



1836 



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 W. 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 sub- 

 scribers 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-Town- 

 send collection are renewed ; he is finally permitted to pur- 

 chase duplicates and describe the new forms under cer- 

 tain 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. 



