188 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 
He was honoured shortly after this date y.a 
diploma from the Literary and Historical Society 
of Quebec. Aided by the diligence of his friend, 
Mr. Robert 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 with 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 
