2 BULLETIN 794, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
breeding grounds of waterfowl in various parts of the United States. 
This is by no means an unimportant part of the inventory of our 
natural resources which is so necessary if we are to take intelligently 
directed steps toward passing on what remains of our heritage of 
natural wealth. 
Efforts to increase the numbers of native waterfowl may be 
grouped in two main divisions: (1) Protection by legislation, which 
will 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 supply 
of the vegetation furnishing cover and food. The Biological Survey 
is interested in all these efforts and stands ready to give information 
and assistance to individuals or organizations desiring to carry on 
such work. 
The present report is the first of a series designed to present in- 
formation on the breeding, wintering, and hunting grounds of water- 
fowl in the United States. It consists of a report by Dr. Harry C. 
Oberholser on the water birds, together with data on the numbers 
and species occurring during the breeding and hunting seasons in 
Nebraska, chiefly in the sandhill region, which information is a 
necessary basis for protective legislation ; and a report by Mr. W. L. 
McAtee on the vegetation of 44 lakes of the sandhill region, together 
with notes on the value of the plants as wild-duck food, and sug- 
gestions for improvements. 
