If the Western Museum had gained more public interest and better financial support, the town of Cincinnati might have been the last stop for John James Audubon in his life of wandering and exploring. He had his family close by his side; he was earning income on a steady basis; and like never before, Audubon was allowed to give his undivided attention to appreciating, studying, and documenting the natural world.
While working at the Western Museum, one of the birds that Audubon had the chance to study especially close was the Least bittern. The bittern was brought to the museum after it had fallen down a chimney and was discovered perching on a bed-post hoping to return to the outdoors. The bird found itself instead on a table standing perfectly still while Audubon began working on his drawing (with the Ohio River very likely in the background) of the Least Bittern for Birds of America.
After spending two hours on the drawing, Audubon decided to touch the bird with the end of his pencil to see how the bird would react. Like a large hand fan snapped open, the bird spread its wings, took flight, and alighted on the cornice of a window in the room. Audubon re-captured the bird and set it back on the table. Curious about how bitterns conceal themselves so effectively among tall grasses, reeds, and sedges, Audubon picked up two large books and set them on end 1 ½” apart. The width of a Least bittern at ease is about 2 ½”, yet the bird easily stepped in between the books and stopped to hide. Audubon then spaced the books 1” apart to watch again the bittern step in between the books and stop to hide. “It is apparent that this species, as well as the Gallinules and Rails, is enabled to contract its breadth in an extraordinary degree.”