xxxviii AUDUBON THE NATURALIST 



Late summer. Returns with his family to New York, and set- 

 tles 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 Orni- 

 thology, and begins work on the Quadrupeds. Collabora- 

 tion 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 anx- 

 ious about the publication of the Quadrupeds as he ever 

 was about procuring birds. 



18J& 



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. 



