9 Cincinnati Soctety of Natural Fiistory. 
published by this Society, January, 1879, he excludes it for want 
of positive identification. In the most complete and valuable list 
and notes on Ohio birds, in the fourth volume of Ohio Geological 
Survey, by our late talented friend, Dr. Wheaton, he says: ‘‘ Mr. 
Langdon introduces this bird to our acquaintance in his cata- 
logue of the birds of the vicinity of Cincinnati, in which he says, 
‘A rail shot by myself near Madisonville several years ago I now 
think was this species.’ In addition to this, Dr. Howard E. Jones 
is almost positive he has killed it in the vicinity of Circleville, O. 
It is also reported from Northern Ohio, but of this I have not as 
yet obtained positive evidence. As Dr. Langdon omits it from his 
later list, we must ‘wait more positive identification than the 
above.” 
Twenty-five years ago, when Millcreek was a pure and beautiful 
stream, and when water birds came to it during their migrations in 
great flocks, while searching for rare birds along one of the tribu- 
tary creeks, I saw one of these birds running ahead of me along the 
bank. As I came near, it plunged its head and neck into a tuft of 
dry grass, perhaps imagining itself to be hid. I picked it up and 
took it to an old taxidermist, who did not know what it was, and I 
never saw it again. I had always suspected it to be this species, 
and when I got the specimen exhibited, I was positive the c*her was 
the same. It is perhaps more numerous than has been supposed, 
but owing to its habit of hiding in swampy places has escaped ~ 
observation. 
OCCURRENCE OF THE LEAST BITTERN. Bofaurus exilis (GMEL.) NEAR 
CINCINNATI. 
Since the artificial lake near Carthage (known as Ross Lake) has 
been made, many aquatic birds resort to it during their migrations, 
that have rarely or never been seen in this locality. An instance 
of this is the ‘‘ Least Bittern.” During last May a dozen might 
have been seen any day by wading through the swampy border of 
the lake. Some beautiful specimens were secured. 
I am indebted to Master Ralph Kellogg, one of our most ener- 
getic young collectors, for specimens of Least Bitterns and the 
Little Black Rail. 
