warm his warlike nature, but in vain. I waited and talked, waited and talked, until my patience, sir—you must know I am not overburdened with it-my patience being exhausted, I rose, threw my pallet and brush on the floor, stamped, walked to and fro about the room, and vociferated such fearful calumnies against our navy, that I startled the good commodore. Yet he still looked at me with a plain countenance, and, as he told me since, thought I had lost my senses. But I observed him all the while, and fully as determined to carry my point as he would be to carry off an enemy's ship, I gave my oaths additional emphasis, addressed him as a representative of the navy, and, steering somewhat clear of personal insult, played off my batteries against the craft. At last, the commodore walked up to me, placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, and told me in a resolute manner, that if I had intended to insult the navy, he would instantly cut off my ears. His features exhibited all the spirit and animation of his noble nature, and as I had now succeeded in rousing the lion, I judged it time to retreat. So, changing my tone, I begged his pardon, and told him he now looked precisely as I wished to represent him. He laughed, and returning to his seat, assumed a bold countenance, and so, sir, see the picture!"

From New Orleans, Audubon proceeded again

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to London, where he was presented with a diploma from the Royal Society. In addition, he received a general letter of recommendation to the authorities in the British Colonies from the Duke of Sussex, with many of a similar nature from Lord Stanley and others.

In August he proceeded a second time to the United States, and landed at New York, where he passed a few days before proceeding to Philadelphia.

Everywhere he was received with honours and courtesies. Subscriptions and diplomas were lavished upon him, and at Washington he was presented by the government with numerous letters of assistance and protection along the frontier, which it was his intention to visit. After a visit to Charleston, he sailed for Florida, where he wintered during 1831.

In that fertile and beautiful country, where the naturalist may luxuriate midst the rare abundance of curious and interesting objects, with which it is endowed, Audubon willingly loitered. While sojourning there, many important additions to his collection were made. Wandering on the beach, fenced by its beautiful coral, stretching like a giant wall along the shore, he could at leisure contemplate rising from the clear depths of the water, its curious inhabitants glittering in a thousand richly span

gled dyes, emulating the sea itself in the exquisite harmony of their colouring. Raising his gaze, he could look upon the glowing flamingo, the rosy-hued curlew, the snowy ibis, the purple heron, and the dusky cormorant and pelican. Or in the interior, midst tangled groves, dazzling with gorgeous flowers, strange plants, and luxuriant trees, where the pure salubrious air, impreg. nated with fragrance, steals like balmy breath along, he was greeted by gayer songsters, gambolling among the bushes, or gliding over the fresh green waters.

Continually some strange aerial pilgrim, with which he was unacquainted, would gladden his sight. With the various species of doves to be met with in Florida, he was particularly delighted. The peculiarly gentle and loving disposition of these sweet birds, the constancy of their attachment to each other, and the anxious care exhibited by them for their young, are all characteristics which render them of especial interest. For Audubon, moreover, there existed associations with them, which had for him an irresistible charm, which doubtless led him to ask, as he does with an exquisite sensibility and simplicity, "Who can approach a sitting dove, hear its notes of remonstrance, or feel the feeble stroke of its wings, without being convinced that he is committing a wrong act?" His first at

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tempt at drawing had been from the preserved specimen of a dove. Of this he had often been reminded, too young at the time of his first essay to remember it in after years himself.

The Zenaida dove, a visitor to East Florida from the West India Islands, is remarkable for the indescribably plaintive tenderness of its cooing. So touching is its utterance, that even to the heart, hardened by a life of crime, it is irresistible.

A notorious pirate, linked with a band of desperadoes, who menaced the Florida coast, chancing to hear its soft melancholy notes, lingered till feelings to which he had long been a stranger, subdued his spirit, and melted it to repentance. It was effectual too, for, resolved to lead a different career for the future, at the cost of difficulty and danger, he effected his escape, and returned like the prodigal to a rejoicing home.

The male bird which first appears in Florida, may be heard cooing for his companion for about a week before she arrives. They choose for their resting place spots thickly covered with grasses and low shrubs, in the heart of which they form their nests, glad if protected in addition by a hedge of sturdy mangroves. This meek, unambitious bird seldom soars high, and when crossing the sea flies close over the surface

of the water. Though so timid, they are confiding, and will permit a person's near approach. Thus Audubon, once hoped to become the possessor of one alive, and imagined himself on the point of a triumphant capture, when the dove turned upon him her beautiful eye, and he found that his intention was discovered. Gently she glided aside in her nest, then suddenly took to wing. Hovering around, she would alight within a few yards of her beloved nest—her wings drooping in sorrow, and her whole form trembling as if from severe cold. “Who could bear such a scene of despair ?" exclaims Audubon, "I left the mother in security with her offspring."

In the morning, while concealed beneath some low spreading branch, her love-notes are given forth. Then, when with the freshness of the morn, the opening flowers spread out all their fragrance, and the sun with increasing ardour glances through the evergreen and thickly leaved oaks, to escape which the owl, swiftly flying close over the earth, hastens to his retreat, and the heavy winged bat undulates through the dewy air, then the melodious accents of her most enchanting voice may best be heard.

The ground dove, closely resembling the Zenaida dove in its habits, is another visitor of the middle portions of the East Florida coast.