HERODIONES, 5S 
even then merely hopped into the foliage a little closer. 
Later I learned that we failed to see the young bird which 
was crouching in the grass. This bird is a summer resident, 
probably breeding throughout the state wherever suitable 
places may be found. 
The first reach Oberlin late in March or early in April, 
and the last return south late in October. 
61. (191.) ARpETTA ExILis (Gmel.). 191. 
Least Bittern. 
Synonyms: Ardea exilis. 
Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 165. 
This little bittern is more local in its distribution than the 
last species. At the Licking reservoir it was the most 
numerous of the swamp haunting birds, but we were unable 
to find one at the Lewiston reservoir. It nests in the San- 
dusky bay swamps, and a pair has usually been found at 
the Oak Point swamps. Elsewhere I have no knowledge of 
it. The birds are so reluctant to leave their reedy retreats 
that it is no wonder few are seen by any but the ardent orni- 
thologist. It is likely that this bittern breeds locally through- 
out the state, but the reports are not positive on that point. 
The migrations are late in April or early in May, and the 
last return south by the middle of September. 
‘Subfamily Arpein. Herons and Egrets. 
Six species of this group are found in Ohio. All of them 
are wading birds and therefore feed in shallow water. They 
choose more open water than the bitterns, trusting more to 
watchfulness and stalking for their food. Their nests are 
built in trees or bushes instead of in the rushes, and the 
birds are found among the trees. Their colors do not blend 
so perfectly with their surroundings. Their food is much 
the same as that of the bitterns. 
