2S 
IOWA BIRD LIFE— VI, I03C 
Some Spring Arrival Dates for 193 fc. — The first Cowbird was seen 
on March 5, which is an exceptionally early date for this species. On 
March 22, we listed the Phoebe, Fox Sparrow and Cowbird, On March 
15, a few pairs of both Baldpates and Shovellers were found scattered 
about in the flocks of thousands of Pintails and Mallards. A Burr ow- 
ing 1 Owi seen on March 29, gives the writer a new early arrival date 
for this species, by nearly two weeks. — WM. YOUNGWORTH, Sioux 
City, Iowa. 
Lcwii’i Woodpecker at Clear Lake. — This bird, which 1 described in 
the March issue of ‘Iowa Bird Life’ (p, 12), remained at the feeding- 
station until March 10, after which it disappeared. Its occurrence 
at this place was from November 10, 1935, to March 10, 1935. — F. II. 
DAVIS, Clear Lake, Iowa.. 
NECROLOGY 
Mi** Kitty Ticdemann, of Burlington, a member of Iowa Ornitholo- 
gists 1 Union since 1930, died January 19, 1935, aged 59 years. Born 
in Des Moines County, Iowa, she lived there almost her entire life. 
Her life was devoted to teaching, in the rural schools of the county 
prior to 1904, and in the Burlington public schools since that time. 
She supervised nature study 1 in the schools for many years, and was 
particularly interested in the study of birds. Her education was re- 
ceived at the old normal school at Burlington, with further studies at 
Chicago Union Park Academy, Chautauqua Institute in New York, 
and Iowa State College at Ames. She attended many of the sessions 
of the Wild Life School at McGregor, and was always active and en- 
thusiastic in this work. The Burlington press speaks of her, in part: 
“During the time Miss Tiedemann was engaged in her nature study 
work, she probably became better known among the pupils of Lhe 
public schools of the city than any other instructor. Her work was 
not merely a gesture of earning a livelihood. She loved it thoroughly 
and imparted her knowledge so understanding^ as to create a similar 
enthusiasm in her pupils. She had an unlimited capacity of affection 
for her charges, was gifted with an abundant sense of humor and an 
appreciation of the superior aspects of life . . , - ,r 
RECENT BIRD BOOKS 
BIRDS AND BIRD CLUBS, by George S. Foster, M. D. (Christopher 
Publishing House, Boston. 1035; cloth, pp. 1-237, illustrated; price, 
$2.50). 
Groups of bird students who contemplate organization into some 
form of local club will find this an excellent source-book of informa- 
tion on how to go about organizing, how to hold meetings, how to 
arrange a schedule of entertainment and study for the entire year, 
how to appeal to the public interest, and a dozen other related topics. 
Local bird clubs are becoming more numerous every year, which in- 
dicates the growth of popular interest in birds. We now have a half 
dozen or more local clubs in Iowa where formerly we had none; in a 
number of eastern states the increase has been much more pronounced. 
Birds have a universal appeal, and the local club is the way to derive 
the maximum of pleasure by sharing with others the work and ex- 
periences encountered. Some groups will prefer to use their own 
ideas in organizing their local club; others will find it desirable to 
follow the detailed plans and suggestions outlined in this book. 
Dr. Foster is a busy physician who has made bird study a pleasant 
avocation. He has spent much time in organizing local bird clubs in 
his state. His book is an earnest endeavor to increase public interest 
in birds through local Organization, and the text is planned with that 
