Waterfowl and their food plants in the Sandhill region of Nebraska . se lakes were formerly the homes of count-less wild fowl during both the breeding season and the migrations,but so general has the draining of lakes and marshes become that theremaining available resorts for these birds are becoming more andmore limited. It is of the greatest importance, therefore, that accu-rate knowledge regarding the condition of the present breeding andwintering grounds be secured, in order that steps may be taken beforeit is too late to conserve the remaining supply of waterfowl inhabit-ing these areas.
Waterfowl and their food plants in the Sandhill region of Nebraska . se lakes were formerly the homes of count-less wild fowl during both the breeding season and the migrations,but so general has the draining of lakes and marshes become that theremaining available resorts for these birds are becoming more andmore limited. It is of the greatest importance, therefore, that accu-rate knowledge regarding the condition of the present breeding andwintering grounds be secured, in order that steps may be taken beforeit is too late to conserve the remaining supply of waterfowl inhabit-ing these areas. In view of the constant diminution in the numbersof our waterfowl and the consequent menace to the continuance ofduck hunting as a sport, as well as to the very existence of the birdsthemselves, the protection of waterfowl on their breeding groundsbecomes a matter of prime necessity. The Biological Survey has long recognized this need, and ismaking efforts to ascertain the exact conditions prevailing on the 120368°—20—Bull. 794 1 4, U. S. Dept. of Ae Plate Map of the Lakes in the Sandhill Region of Nebraska. 2 BULLETIN 794, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. breeding grounds of waterfowl in various parts of the United is by no means an unimportant part of the inventory of ournatural resources which is so necessary if we are to take intelligentlydirected steps toward passing on what remains of our heritage ofnatural wealth. Efforts to increase the numbers of native waterfowl may begrouped in two main divisions: (1) Protection by legislation, whichwill save what breeding stock we have and give it a chance to mul-tiply; and (2) bettering conditions on the breeding grounds, includ-ing elimination of natural enemies and improvement in the supplyof the vegetation furnishing cover and food. The Biological Surveyis interested in all these efforts and stands ready to give informationand assistance to individuals or organizations desiring to carry onsuch work. The pres
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