188 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 



He was honoured shortly after this date by a 

 diploma from the Literary and Historical Society 

 of Quebec. Aided by the diligence of hLs friend, 

 Mr. Kobert Havel, the engraver of the " Birds 

 of America," to whose assiduity and care Audu- 

 bon frequently bears grateful testimony, he was 

 enabled to offer his illustrations with unfailing 

 punctuality to the public, till the completion of 

 the fourth volume. 



The beautiful meadow lark of America may 

 be found in the Floridas, Louisiana, and Caro- 

 lina, where it abounds during the winter. Its 

 resorts are grassy spots where flowers in rich 

 luxuriance give forth their fragrance beneath 

 golden floods of sunlight. In retreats like these, 

 ere yet the moon has disappeared in the west, or 

 the crystal dew-drops of the morning are brushed 

 from off the boughs, and the many warblers of 

 the forest still slumber in wood and brake^ the 

 buoyant lark arises on light pinions, and gladly 

 launches into the pure air. His powers refreshed 

 by repose, he awaits mth joy -glowing breast the 

 answering notes of his beloved, whom he im- 

 plores with the heart-touching melody of his 

 song. She yet lingers — to his singing accents, 

 loud and clear, comes no reply. 



Impatiently he then glances round, and irri- 

 tated at her continued absence, seeks the refuge 

 of some verdurous shade in which to indulge his 



