SOME OHIO BIRDS 
61 
under human observation. The well known kill-dee note is a 
familiar sound the greater part of the year. The Killdeer is some¬ 
what nocturnal in habits and its call is frequently heard at any hour 
of the night. The nest is built in a depression on the ground, 
usually in a cultivated field or meadow. The young leave the nest 
soon after hatching. Insects and small, aquatic animal-life consti¬ 
tute the chief diet for this species. 
WADING BIRDS 
Rails, Cranes, Herons, etc. are all more or less aquatic in their 
habits and their distribution depends largely on water. They are 
most abundant about the larger lakes, but are more or less com¬ 
monly found along the smaller streams or in marshland. All are 
largely dependent on aquatic animal and vegetable life for their sus¬ 
tenance; the manner of procuring their food varies greatly among 
the several families. Some of these birds are of solitary habits, 
while others are gregarious. Cranes and Storks are rare within the 
state, but Herons and Bitterns are common where environments are 
suitable. 
GREEN HERON, Butorides virescens -virescens (Linn.) 
This little Heron is the most familiar species of general distrib¬ 
ution in the state. It frequents alike the larger water courses and 
the smaller streams, both of open and of wooded districts. The 
nest, constructed of sticks, is situated in the top of a tree in a thicket 
near water, or not unfrequently in an orchard. Its food is mainly 
tadpoles, small frogs and other water animals and insects, which are 
captured by careful stalking, or by remaining motionless until the 
victim is within striking distance. Its only note is a harsh squawk 
which is uttered when surprised. 
GREAT BLUE HERON, Ardea herodias herodias (Linn.) 
At one time a common summer resident, but with the clearing 
and draining of large tracts, where formerly large numbers nested, 
it is now found only in a few favored localities and is nowhere common. 
It is the largest of our Herons and is commonly, but wrongly called, 
Blue Crane. When in flight, the Herons and Cranes may be dis¬ 
tinguished from each other by remembering that the former draw 
their folded necks between their shoulders, whereas the latter 
stretch neck and legs at full length. 
WATER-FOWL 
In former years, Water-fowl of many kinds were abundant, but 
advancing civilization, with its attendant train of unfavorable and 
disastrous conditions, has deprived us of a few species, while many 
