First return to America, at eighteen, to learn English and enter trade: settles at "Mill Grove" farm, near Philadelphia, where he spends a year and begins his studies of American birds.
1804
December 15.—Half-interest in "Mill Grove" acquired by Francis Dacosta, who begins to exploit its lead mine; he also acts as guardian to young Audubon, who becomes engaged to Lucy Green Bakewell; quarrel with Dacosta follows.
1805
January 12-15 (?).—Walks to New York, where Benjamin Bakewell supplies him with passage money to France.
January 18 (about).—Sails on the Hope for Nantes, and arrives about March 18.
A year spent at "La Gerbetière," in Couëron, where he hunts birds with D'Orbigny and makes many drawings, and at Nantes, where plans are made for his return, with Ferdinand Rozier, to America.
1806
Enters the French navy at this time, or earlier, but soon withdraws.