476 Recent Literature. LJuly 



of text by Mr. Brook describing the habits of the birds and his experiences 

 in photographing them. The whole forms an attractive and interesting 

 contribution to the life history of this hawk, likely to lead others into the 

 field of bird photography and the study of the living birds in which the 

 author seems to be an adept. — W. S. 



The Nebraska Waterfowl and their Food. 2 — This contribution 

 from the Biological Survey consists of two parts, ' Waterfowl in Nebraska, 

 by Dr. Harry C. Oberholser and 'Wild Duck Foods of the Sandhill Region 

 of Nebraska' by W. L. McAfee. 



The sandhill region of Nebraska, containing as it does innumerable 

 small lakes and marshes is a natural resort of various species of waterfowl 

 and the object of the present publication is to place those who may be 

 interested in the conservation of these birds, data on their relative abun- 

 dance and habits and the methods by which this region may be made more 

 attractive for them. Dr. Oberholser visited most of the lakes and obtained 

 a wealth of information regarding the birds which inhabit them as well as 

 data on past and present conditions there. He has given lists of the species 

 found on the more important lakes and an annotated list of all of the 

 species observed, their habits, relative abundance, etc., together with 

 warnings as to the dangers attending the draining of the lakes in the 

 consequent extermination of the wildfowl. 



Mr. McAtee has reported upon collections of the marsh vegetation 

 gathered about a number of the lakes, pointing out the relative value of 

 the various plants as duck food and suggesting other species which would 

 probably thrive there if introduced. 



As a whole the pamphlet, which we trust may have a wide circulation 

 in the region of which it treats, gives to the sportsmen of Nebraska all of 

 the data required in any effort that they may be inclined to make for the 

 conservation of this natural breeding ground for the ducks. And in view 

 of the rapid destruction of the former breeding grounds farther north, 

 it is none too soon to take every opportunity to save all such regions as 

 this, which still remain in the United States, from thoughtless destruction. 

 It would be a fine thing if the Legislature of Nebraska would make this 

 lake region a permanent State preserve for the breeding of waterfowl, 

 which could apparently easily be done without any inconvenience to the 

 grazing or farming interests as it is not suitable for either. — W. S. 



Bartsch on the 'Bird Rookeries of the Tortugas.' 1 — Among the 

 contributions to the 'Annual Report' of the Smithsonian Institution for 



2 Waterfowl and Their Food Plants in the Sandhill Region of Nebraska. Part I. 

 Waterfowl in Nebraska. By Harry C. Oberholser, Assistant Biologist. Part II. 

 Wild-Duck Foods of the Sandhill Region of .Nebraska. By W. L. McAtee, 

 Assistant Biologist. Bulletin 794, U. S. Department of Agriculture. March 23, 

 1920, pp. 1-77, plates I-V. 



1 The Bird Rookeries of the Tortugas. By Paul Bartsch. Smithsonian Report 

 for 1917, pages 469-500 (with 38 plates). Washington, 1919. 



