52 BIRDS OF OHIO. 



this bird's occurrence in Ohio is that of Mr. H, E. Chubb, 

 of Cleveland, who mounted a young male which was cap- 

 tured ten miles west of Cleveland. Dr. Langdon's inferen- 

 tial record should not be omitted. Specimens captured on 

 the Whitewater river in Indiana very likely followed that 

 river to its junction with the Big Miami and so into Ohio. 



SUBORDER HERODII. Bitterns, Herons, Egrets. 



Family ARDEID^E. Bitterns, Herons, Egrets. 



Subfamily BOTAURIN^E. Bitterns. 



All the species comprising this group are found in the 

 state. They are strictly swamp haunters, feeding and nesting 

 there. They usually stand quietly and wait for the prey to 

 come within striking distance, when they strike it with the 

 strong, sharp-pointed bill. I have seen them pursue the 

 frog or fish or tadpole. Apparently they eat any small ani- 

 mal which comes in their way in the swamps, except 

 birds. 



60. (190.) BOTAURUS LENTIGINOSUS (Montag.). 190. 

 American Bittern. 



Synonyms: Botaurus minor, Ardea minor, A. lentiginosus. 



Bittern, Indian Hen, Stake Driver, Bog-bull, Thunder Pump, 

 Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 165. 



The Bittern will not be known to those who do not go 

 into the marshes and swamps. It is seldom seen on running 

 streams, preferring the unfrequented swamps and bogs, 

 feeding in the stagnant pools among the reeds and brush. 

 .It is reported as fairly common over the state, but will be 

 absent from places lacking swampy ground, and therefore 

 must be considered local in its distribution in summer. It 

 is more frequently seen during the migrations than at any 

 other time. While visiting in Medina in May, 1901, while 

 out with a party of bird students on a wet morning, we saw 

 a Bittern in an orchard in the heart of the residence district 

 of the village. It permitted an approach within a rod, and 



